Parents challenge Election Commission circulars impacting school operations in Bombay High Court
Parents of students from a local school in Mumbai have approached the Bombay High Court to contest several circulars issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The circulars mandate the deployment of over 2,000 Education Department employees, primarily teachers, as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Polling Station Officers (PSOs) for the upcoming State Assembly Elections.
A division bench consisting of Justices Atul Chandurkar and Rajesh Patil acknowledged the parents' concerns, stating that the requirement for teachers to dedicate full-time hours during the week significantly disrupts school operations, particularly affecting ongoing examinations for various classes.
The petition, filed by senior advocate Gayatri Singh, references circulars issued on August 15, August 20, and subsequently on October 1 and 4, indicating that teachers will be required to miss school hours for election duties. The petition emphasizes that the absence of teachers during school hours hampers the regular conduct of classes, particularly at the Green Mumbai Primary School in Kurla. It argues that such orders violate students' right to education under Article 21-A of the Indian Constitution and the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009.
The court has directed the ECI to address the matter and provide a statement by Monday, October 21.
Additionally, the petition highlights the physically demanding nature of BLO duties, noting that teachers are often assigned to polling booths in distant constituencies. This exhaustion, the petition asserts, detracts from their primary responsibility of educating children.
The August 15 circular from the BMC's Education Department notified the deployment of 2,000 Education Department employees, largely teachers, as BLOs for three days a week. A subsequent circular on August 20 requisitioned four teachers from the Green Mumbai Primary School for similar duties. Further directives issued on October 1 and 4 required teachers to work full-time as PSOs, compelling them to forgo their school responsibilities in favor of election tasks.
A circular dated October 14 confirmed the full-time engagement of teachers for election duties. In light of these developments, the bench has appointed senior advocate Ashutosh Kumbhakoni to investigate the issue and present a statement to the court.
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
