The Rajasthan Education Minister has announced that January 22, the date of Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha (consecration), will be celebrated as a festival in government schools across the state. This decision has been incorporated into the academic calendar as an official festival.
The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has strongly criticized this move. State President Bhanwar Meghvanshi and General Secretary Anant Bhatnagar stated that such a decision undermines India’s secular principles and disregards the sentiments of other communities. They emphasized that both the Constitution and the National Education Policy prioritize secularism in government institutions, and it is the government’s responsibility to maintain religious harmony in educational settings and inspire students to do the same.
The PUCL leaders argued that the decision to celebrate Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha in schools is driven by communal sentiments and promotes a particular agenda. They criticized Education Minister Madan Dilawar for his role in the communalization of educational campuses and described this decision as another step in that process.
The PUCL pointed out that Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha is not traditionally recognized as a religious festival in Hinduism and that many religious figures do not consider it a sacred day. They warned that associating this politically motivated event with religion could spread misinformation among future generations.