I-Day skipped in Punjab schools near Pak border? NHRC seeks answers from Mann govt

New Delhi - The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has requested a comprehensive report from the Punjab government regarding claims that Independence Day festivities were absent in certain government schools situated in rural, remote, and border regions of the state. The NHRC's Bench, presided over by member Priyank Kanoongo, took notice of a complaint alleging that students at specific schools, especially those close to the Pakistan border, were denied the chance to partake in Independence Day observances on August 15.

Kanoongo pointed out that the purported omission disproportionately impacted children in rural and border areas, raising doubts about whether they were being deprived of equivalent educational, cultural, and civic experiences compared to their peers in other parts of the state. The NHRC has mandated the Punjab government to furnish state-wise, district-wise, and school-wise information on the observances of Independence Day.

Specifically, the state government is required to disclose the count of government institutions where the national flag was raised, the National Anthem was sung, and students engaged in the festivities. The commission has also tasked the state administration with pinpointing schools where the requisite activities were not carried out and providing explanations for the alleged non-conformity.

The NHRC has ordered a verification of schools in rural, remote, and border zones to ascertain if there exists any disparity in the opportunities afforded to students.

Kanoongo asserted that the failure to organize such events equated to governmental neglect and emphasized the importance of ensuring that children were educated about the freedom struggle, the Constitution, national symbols, civic responsibilities, national unity, and democratic values. The NHRC has instructed the Punjab chief secretary to submit an Action Taken/Compliance Report within four weeks.

The commission has also solicited pertinent information from the Union Ministry of Education and informed the Ministry of Home Affairs for appropriate action. The NHRC stated its intent to determine whether children in border areas were excluded from equal opportunities to participate in Independence Day celebrations due to the geographical location of their schools.