HRD Ministry raises concerns over Bengal's `confrontational attitude'

After being snubbed by the West Bengal government over its advisory on Independence Day celebrations in government schools, the HRD ministry on Monday raised concerns over the `confrontational attitude' adopted by the Mamata Banerjee government.

Alleging that the state government does not respond to any communication by the Centre over education, a highly placed source in the ministry said, “We have seen this behaviour since the last few years. The government refuses to participate in conferences held by the ministry for state governments, including the last 'chintan Shivir held in Guwahati .“

On July 25, the HRD Ministry issued circular asking schools and other institutes to organise nine participatory activities in the run up to the Independence Day from August 8 to August 15. The ministry had said that India's 70 years of independence must be celebrated in a “befitting manner“. The activities included quiz and debate competitions on the theme of India's freedom struggle and patriotic slogan writing competitions, marches and film screenings showcasing India's progress, and pledges on unity and swachhta.

The Mamata Banerjee government however issued on a circular on Friday asking schools and other educational institutes in the state to celebrate Independence Day the way they always have, instead of preparing for the occasion as per the directions of the centre. Responding to the circular, HRD minister Prakash Javadekar on Sunday called it 'unfortunate' and hoped that 'wisdom will prevail.'