Urdu name for farewell function in Rajasthan school leads to Education Department probe: Report
Jaipur: The Rajasthan Education Department has initiated an investigation into a school function in Baran district following the use of an Urdu name for the event. Officials from the department visited the Mahatma Gandhi Government School in Shahabad to probe the matter.
The controversy arose after invitation cards for a farewell function on February 28 were sent out with the title ‘Jashn-e-Alvida’, or ‘celebration of a farewell’, written in Hindi, as reported by The Indian Express on Wednesday.
The card, which featured an image of Goddess Saraswati, went viral on social media, prompting Baran’s District Education Office to set up a three-member team to conduct an inquiry. The committee, led by Devendra Singh, Chief Block Education Officer of Kishanganj, includes principals from two other schools. The team visited the school on Tuesday to gather information and conduct inquiries.
According to the order issued by the office, as cited by IE, ‘Jashn-e-Alvida’ was inscribed on the invitation card “contrary to the departmental guidelines”. Singh confirmed that a probe report was being prepared and would be submitted shortly.
Vikesh Kumar, the school’s principal, explained that the event was meant to recognise the achievements of class 12 students and bid them farewell.
“There are some Muslim students in the school, and they suggested and gave this title for the function. Then, at the School Development Management Committee (SDMC) meeting, the parents also consented to the name,” Kumar told IE.
He mentioned that after the invitation cards were printed, it was realised that the name of the event did not align with “government parlance." Kumar added: "We withdrew the cards, but a few were left with the students who made them viral. It was also picked up by the media."
As the investigation continues, officials have collected various materials, including the proposal submitted by students, details of staff meetings, videos from the event, and newspaper cutting related to the incident.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
