Madhya Pradesh: Schools in Gwalior told to obtain parental approval before involving students in Christmas programs

Gwalior: Following the directive in Shajapur, the District Education Officer of Gwalior has issued a mandate for schools to obtain parental approval before involving students in Christmas programs.

Henceforth, schools planning Christmas plays, where children are required to dress as Santa, must secure consent from parents. If any misunderstandings or objections arise from parents, the school will be held accountable.

Ajay Katiyar, the DEO of Gwalior, has additionally stipulated that for any Christmas or Santa Claus-related events organized by schools in Gwalior on Christmas day, parental consent is mandatory for children participating in such activities. The order specifically requires written consent letters from parents of students involved in Christmas-related events.

Furthermore, the directive emphasizes that in the event of disputes or complaints, unilateral disciplinary action will be taken against the respective head of the institution.

It is noteworthy that a similar directive had been issued last week by the District Education Officer in Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh.

Christmas celebrations in educational institutions opposed

Earlier, Sanskriti Bachao Andolan and Sindhu Sena voiced their opposition to Christmas celebrations in educational institutions. They argued that missionary schools do not require students to dress as Lord Ram on Ram Navami or as Krishna on Janmashtami, questioning the necessity of compelling students to dress as Santa Claus during Christmas.

Chandra Shekhar Tiwari from Sanskriti Bachao Andolan visited St Mary School and urged the school management not to enforce Santa Claus attire for students. Tiwari emphasized that missionary schools grant a 10-day holiday for Christmas but only two days for Diwali, Holi, and Janmashtami. Despite approximately 90% of their students coming from Sanatan families, the school administration issues notices mandating Santa Claus costumes for Christmas celebrations, which Tiwari deemed unjustified.

Similarly, Ramesh Kukreja, president of Sindhu Sena, expressed, "India is a land of saints, not Santa Claus." He protested against missionary schools that coerce students into donning Santa Claus attire. As a symbolic act of dissent, Kukreja stated that they dressed up students as Lord Ram to oppose the imposition of Santa Claus costumes in missionary schools.