Notice to govt primary school

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 17

While notices to parties for code violations are common, the Election Commission (EC) here has issued a notice to a local school for celebrating “Dhiyan di Lohri”.

Acting on a complaint, the EC shot off a letter to the DEO (E) office in Jalandhar regarding Lohri celebration at Government Primary School, Nathhewal.

Similarly, the Lohri function at Government Primary School for Girls in Rurka Kalan also came under the EC scanner. Notably, earlier this year, Government Primary School (GPS), Natthewal, had also bagged state award for its impressive arrangements for primary students.

A formal inquiry was also marked in the matter in which the CEO Jalandhar sought the school staff and the BPEO to answer for the celebrations during the code of conduct.

While the GPS Natthewal in Goraya 2 block celebrated “Dhiyan di Lohri” on January 12, the notice was issued on January 13, after which the DEO also submitted a written explanation on the matter to the Returning officer, Jalandhar Cantt.

Ajmer Singh, head teacher, Government Primary School, Natthewal, which has 65 students, said, “It was just a Lohri for girls like previous years. We religiously celebrate the festival to encourage girl students. The village sarpanch and both BPEOs of Phillaur and Goraya were present on the occasion. It was a totally non-political function and no political speeches were made on the occasion. But someone chose to make a complaint against us. A reply was sent to the DEO and I also visited the CEO’s office when inquiry was sought in the matter.”

DEO (E) Rampal said, “The function was a Lohri celebration in which there was no political involvement. Someone made a complaint to the EC, but the complainant seems to be totally in the dark on poll regulations. This was just an event to encourage students. We have, however, apprised the authorities about it and the matter is at rest now.”

DC-cum-Distt Election Officer Jalandhar KK Yadav said, “Unless a political person has been called to a rally or the gathering is political in nature, action can’t be initiated against social establishments or schools.”

Notably, while a letter asking schools not to celebrate any function had also been issued to schools after the code of conduct came into force, the school head said he had not received the said letter until a couple of days ago, but till then the Lohri function had happpened. Schools had also been asked to remove any signage publicising any political party from their premises.