Vedic rituals performed in DK schools against govt orders; DC seeks report
Mangaluru: Amid reopening of the new academic year in various schools of the district, Vedic rituals were reportedly conducted against government order in certain schools in and around Dakshina Kannada, triggering social media outrage.
Dakshina Kannada DC Dr Rajendra KV has sought for official report from DDPI after the BEO confirmed that Vedic rites like Homa were performed in certain schools of the district.
A school in Padibagilu near Vitla and another school in Sullia’s Harihara Pallathadka were reportedly performed Homa in the presence of schoolteachers. In addition to it, another school in Poonjalakatte of Belthangady taluk also allegedly performed Vedic rituals against government orders.
Photos and videos of these rituals which have been circulating over social media platforms from the past three days showed teachers lighting the Aratis while applying tilak on their foreheads.
Meanwhile, many schools around the district were reopened by decorating the schools, distributing flowers to the freshers in the presence of prominent people of the schools’ respective localities. However, senior officials have conveyed dismay over the decision of certain schools to perform Homa.
Despite social unrest caused by the Hijab issue months ago, these Homas were conducted on 16 May in Bantwal, Sullia and Belthanagady triggering further criticisms.
Dakshina Kannada DC Dr Rajendra KV said that action will be taken against the schools based on the reports submitted by DDPI.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
