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Patna, Sep 6 (IANS) The five-hour Bihar bandh called by the BJP on September 4 against objectionable remarks made on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother has sparked controversy in Jehanabad.

A video of a scuffle between BJP workers and a female teacher, Dipti Rani, has gone viral, prompting the Education Department to issue her a show-cause notice.

The incident took place near Arwal Mor in Jehanabad, where BJP supporters were enforcing the bandh on September 4.

Teacher Dipti Rani, who works at the Government Girls Inter School, was on her way to school when she was stopped.

According to BJP workers, Dipti Rani allegedly used abusive language against PM Modi and sided with the protesters’ opponents.

In contrast, the teacher has denied the allegations, stating, “I was simply going to school to teach the children. The bandh supporters stopped me midway. I am not a supporter of any party. I only wanted to reach school.”

The situation escalated into an argument and a scuffle, and the police had to intervene to escort her safely to school.

After the video of the altercation went viral on social media, the Jehanabad District Education Officer (DEO) Saraswati Kumari took cognisance.

In a notice sent to Dipti Rani, the DEO wrote that her behaviour was irresponsible, undisciplined and contrary to the Public Servants Conduct Rules, 2005.

The notice reads, “You are working on an important post like a teacher and have tried to tarnish the image of the department by using objectionable and indecent language. You are directed to submit your explanation within 24 hours as to why disciplinary action should not be initiated.”

If no reply is received within the stipulated time, the department has warned that it will assume she has nothing to say, and disciplinary action will follow.

The bandh was organised after the arrest of Mohammad Rizvi alias Raja (22) in Darbhanga on August 27 for allegedly abusing PM Modi and his late mother during the INDIA bloc’s Voter Adhikar Yatra.

The BJP had demanded strict action and, as a show of protest, called for a state-wide bandh on September 4.

While BJP workers accused the teacher of being an opposition supporter, Dipti Rani has dismissed the charge.

She maintains that her only concern was reaching her workplace.

Meanwhile, the incident has triggered debates around teachers’ conduct, political protests, and the right to education access during bandhs.

–IANS

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Bengaluru, Oct 16 (IANS) The Congress-led government in Karnataka on Thursday re-released an old circular issued by the office of the Commissioner of the Karnataka Public Instruction Department, which forbids using government school grounds for private purposes.

The circular, dated February 7, 2013, clearly states that government school grounds and premises should not be used for private purposes or for activities other than academic ones.

With this, the Siddaramaiah government seems to be preparing to ban Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) activities on the premises of government and aided schools in the state. This follows a letter on the issue from Minister for RDPR, IT and BT, Priyank Kharge.

Sources in the CMO confirmed that the release of this old circular was in response to Kharge’s letter demanding a ban on RSS activities in public places, including schools and colleges.

The circular, signed by then Commissioner S.R. Umashankar, stated that when a request was made to allow the use of government school grounds in Chamarajpet, Bengaluru, it was found that such premises should only be utilised by schoolchildren for daily activities such as sports, physical education, and academic purposes.

“In this background, school premises and grounds should not be used for activities unrelated to academics or educational objectives. It is directed that no permission should be issued for such purposes,” the circular said. It further instructed that proposals seeking permission for such use should not be forwarded to the Commissioner’s office.

According to sources, the state government intends to use this circular to enforce a ban on all RSS activities within school premises and grounds. They also confirmed that the issue will be taken up in the cabinet meeting on Thursday (October 16).

Speaking on the development, Home Minister G. Parameshwara said on Thursday in Bengaluru, “At present, the issue of banning RSS activities is not on the cabinet meeting’s agenda. If it comes up as an additional agenda item, we will discuss it and make a decision. Usually, there are additional agendas.”

He added, “There is already a provision against allowing private or religious activities in government spaces. This is not new. However, it has not been strictly implemented. At times, when one or more organisations sought permission for public grounds, a decision was taken to either allow one of them or deny permission to all. We will see what decision is taken in the cabinet meeting when the matter comes up for discussion.”

It may be recalled that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had also asked Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh to examine the demand for banning RSS activities in public places, especially government and aided school premises. The CM further directed her to study the measures taken in this regard in Tamil Nadu.

–IANS

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