Children studying in private schools in tourist city Dalhousie are not being given holidays on Hindu festivals. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has expressed strong objection to the omission of Ram Navami and other Hindu festivals from the list of holidays. Private schools do not let Hindu children stay away from private schools on Hindu occasions, they complained.

The state government issued a notification about holidays on these festivals, which do not include Hindu festivals. “Private schools are trying to destroy Hindu Sanatan culture,” the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) alleged.

The VHP submitted its complaint letter regarding this to SDM Dalhousie on Monday. VHP district president Amarjeet Arora said that private children of Dalhousie were not given leave on Hindu festivals like Diwali, Ram Navami, Dussehra, Krishna Janmashtami, Durgashtami etc and demanded that all children be provided leave on the day of Ram Navami.

According to the VHP, due to the apathetic trend, boys and girls with impressionable minds remain unfamiliar with their culture when they grow up in the future. the organisation demanded from the administration that the “arbitrary behaviour” of private schools be stopped.

VHP department head Chatarsen Sharma, block president Hem Chand Sharma and block guardian Chaman Singh Rana jointly raised the demand.

Schools in Dalhousie alone not to blame

But the issue is hardly limited to Dalhousie. While schools in India tend to observe holidays during major Hindu festivals, some chains of schools insist on compulsory attendance even during these festivals. Here are a few examples:

1. Kendriya Vidyalayas (Central Schools): These are a system of union government-run schools in India that have a uniform curriculum. These schools are administered by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Attendance is usually compulsory, even during Hindu festivals.
2. Delhi Public School (DPS): Many DPS branches across the country maintain compulsory attendance during Hindu festivals, although it may vary slightly depending on the branch.
3. Sainik Schools: These are residential schools for boys in India, aimed at preparing students for entry into the National Defence Academy. Attendance is generally compulsory even during festivals.
4. Army Public Schools (APS): Like Sainik Schools, Army Public Schools, which are run by the Indian Army Welfare Education Society, often maintain compulsory attendance during Hindu festivals.
5. Navodaya Vidyalayas (Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas): These are a system of alternate schools for talented students in India run by the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti. They generally follow a strict academic calendar with compulsory attendance.

These schools usually prioritise academic rigour and discipline, hence their policy of compulsory attendance even during festivals. Policies may vary between different branches and over time, so it’s advisable to confirm with specific institutions.