The Department of Public Instruction (DPI), which had issued an order to all primary and high schools to make arrangements to take students to the ‘Hindu Vaibhava’ exhibition to held during the Dharma Sansad from November 24 to 26, has withdrawn it after the controversy it generated. The sansad is being organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).
‘Glory of our nation’
The DPI issued a circular on November 15 telling the heads of primary and high schools to make arrangements to send their students to the exhibition because “it showcases our heritage and culture and the glory of our nation. As per the organisers, there will be over 100 stalls at the exhibition”.
Sources in the department said the directive was issued after the president of the Udupi Zilla Panchayat, Dinakar Babu, (who belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party) sent a note to the department about the exhibition.
Meanwhile, there was opposition to the circular. The district unit of the Campus Front of India, on November 22, questioned the circular and threatened a protest. Deputy Director of Public Instruction Sheshashayana told The Hindu the circular was withdrawn as there was opposition to it.
Sarsanghchalak of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Mohan Bhagwat will be delivering the keynote address at the event. The conference will discuss issues such as ‘Pathway for construction of Ram temple at Ayodhya’ and ‘Programmes to protect and promote cows’.
Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath is to deliver the keynote address at the samajotasva that follows the sansad. The sansad is expected to be attended by a large number of sants and sadhus. The temple town of Udupi is awash with saffron banners and buntings ahead of the event.
