NCPCR write to Bihar chief secretary over absence of several Hindu holidays from school calendar

The Bihar government’s announcement of the holiday schedule for government schools in anticipation of 2024 has ignited a political controversy. The National Commission For Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has intervened, issuing a notice to the Chief Secretary of Bihar, urging a reconsideration of the matter.

बिहार सरकार द्वारा स्कूलों में अनेक हिंदू त्योहारों की छुट्टी रद्द कर कई एक दिन वाले मुस्लिम त्योहारों में तीन- तीन दिन की छुट्टी दे कर एक भेदभावपूर्ण कैलेंडर जारी किए जाने की शिकायत @NCPCR_ को मिली है।
आयोग ने बच्चों सर्वांगीण हित को ध्यान में रखते हुए संज्ञान ले कर बिहार के…

— प्रियंक कानूनगो Priyank Kanoongo (@KanoongoPriyank) November 28, 2023

According to reports, the Bihar education department released the 2024 holiday calendar on Monday, emphasizing the creation of a schedule ensuring a minimum of 220 teaching days in compliance with the Right to Education. Notably, the holiday calendar for 2024 underwent a complete overhaul, with the duration of summer vacations extended from 20 to 30 days. Hartalika Teej and Jitiya holidays were eliminated, while the holidays for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (Bakrid) were extended to three days each. Union Minister for State Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Tuesday slammed the Bihar Government for reportedly decreasing the number of holidays for several Hindu festivals and demanded to withdraw the school calendar immediately issued by the Education Ministry of Bihar related to holidays for religious festivals. The BJP has slammed the Bihar government and questioned the school calendar alleging religious bias and hinting at appeasement of the Muslim community. Speaking to ANI, MoS Rai said, “The government of Bihar led by Nitish Kumar ji and Tejashwi Yadav is doing appeasement politics in Bihar. The festival holidays of Hindus have been reduced and the holidays of Muslim festivals have been increased. This is appeasement.” With inputs from ANI