Modi Government which has recently been under fire for wrong reasons may have to face heat from the Opposition again. In yet another controversial decision by the BJP Government, all municipality schools in the Gujarat have been told to observe Saraswati puja on Saturday. Reportedly, through a government circular, hundreds of schools in Ahmedabad have been directed to perform prayers and chants on Vasant Panchami which is considered to be a religious festival of the Hindus. A circular issued by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation School Board reads as quoted by media, " "This is to inform all municipality schools that Mahasud Pancham also known as Vasant Panchami is a festival that worships Ma Saraswati, the goddess of education, art, knowledge and music. On this day, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped to spread the light of knowledge. Without education, life is worthless. To enable students to understand that knowledge can make them achieve great heights, schools should ensure Saraswati Puja is performed and Saraswati Vandana recited. Also, explain to students how Vasant Panchami is celebrated in other states." According to report, more than 300 Gujarati medium schools having around 10,000 Muslim students will also have to follow the diktat. Reportedly Proncipals of many of the these schools have expressed their displeasure. "We will recite the prayer since we cannot go against the circular. However, we are doing away with the puja because it may hurt the religious feelings of students from other communities", Principal of one of the schools said. The Congress reacted sharply with its councillors dubbing the move as an attack on the fundamental rights of minorities.
