Jharkhand: Weekly offs changed to Friday in primary schools in Muslim-dominated areas, govt orders probe

Jamtara (Jharkhand), July 13: The weekly holiday in more than 100 government-run schools in the Muslim-dominated areas in Jharkhand's Jamtara district has been changed to Friday from Sunday apparently without any permission from the authorities.

 

An investigation was initiated into the matter, following which it was learnt that a similar trend was being followed in some Muslim-dominated areas in Palamu and Pakur districts as well. In fact, the teachers of these schools also take week-offs on Friday instead of Sunday.

 

 

It is being said that the Muslim population of these areas is about 70 per cent. On their pressure, the village education committees have suffixed "Urdu school" along with the names of many schools, and some of the schools eben installed boards to this effect. Some people arguing in favour of this submitted that "if 70 per cent Muslim students study in schools, Friday holiday is justified for Friday prayers".

 

Meanwhile, a political slugfest has began over the issue. Several BJP leaders, including former Chief Ministers Babulal Marandi, Raghubar Das, state BJP President Deepak Prakash, and BJP MP Nishikant Dubey have accused the Hemant Soren-led state government of allowing changes in the government rules for appeasement.