Urges CM Omar to clarify government’s position on issue
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Friday criticised the Jammu and Kashmir government for allegedly using education as a “propaganda tool” by “forcing” students to attend a Tiranga rally organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), calling it an unfortunate act.
In a statement issued here, National Convenor of the Association Nasir Khuehami said that the government order mandating both government and private schools to send students to a rally organized by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) is deeply concerning and unacceptable.
He said that with the directive for students to join ABVP in the rally, it has become more of an ideological event rather than a Republic Day celebration. The government has no right to dictate which political or ideological events students should participate in, he said.
He emphasised that education must remain neutral, free from coercion or external influence, and allow students the freedom to decide their participation in any political activity. “By imposing such mandates, the government is not only infringing upon the rights of students but also encouraging political polarization within educational institutions. This move contradicts the essence of a democratic society, and it is essential that educational institutions are not used as tools for promoting any particular political agenda,” he said.
Khuehami further asserted that the permission granted by the District Administration of Poonch not only raises serious concerns about the misuse of authority but also highlights a troubling disregard for institutional impartiality. Such actions set a dangerous precedent for the erosion of accountability within democratic institutions, he said.
Khuehami added that while they are not against the celebration of Republic Day, dictating students to join a rally affiliated with a particular political organization is unwarranted. “Public institutions cannot be used to serve private interests. Education must remain neutral, free from coercion or external influence, and must allow students the freedom to decide their participation in any political activity,” he added.
Association called for the intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, urging him to clarify the government’s position on the issue and take immediate action to prevent the politicisation of educational institutions. The Association expressed concern that such actions not only undermine the autonomy of educational institutions but also violate the democratic rights of students to make their own political choices.
“The government must prioritise the integrity of the education system, ensuring it remains a neutral space that fosters critical thinking and civic responsibility, rather than being used as a platform for promoting any political agenda,” the JKSA said.