Mangaluru: A video of a right-wing association event being held at a govt school, within the Surathkal limits, went viral on social media. The video sparked criticism and public outcry over the fact that schools in Dakshina Kannada have been defying govt directives that campuses cannot be used for any non-govt activities.
According to officials from the department of school education and literacy, the school in the viral video was identified as Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Higher Primary School in Mangalapete, Surathkal. "After the video went viral, we called up the school heads and checked. However, they answered that no campus premises were given for any event. Further, the block education officer of Mangaluru North was asked to look into the issue and submit a report at the earliest," said Venkatesha Subraya Patagara, deputy director of public instruction (DDPI) of Dakshina Kannada.
He added that there is a govt circular issued in 2013, that prohibits any non-academic activities within the school premises, including the grounds.
It can be recalled that a similar incident occurred in Kadaba, where a gurupuja, allegedly organised by a right-wing group, took place inside a school classroom in July this academic year.