New Delhi: The controversy over 'Teachers Day' or 'Guru Utsav' could have been easily averted, if the Centre had made it clear that it is not mandatory for the schools in the very beginning. After many state governments ruled by the opposition including West Bengal have refused to issue a directive to schools asking them to ensure that the children stay back for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's live speech, the Union Human Resources Development (HRD) Ministry has clarified that the participation is not mandatory.
But, much damage has already been done. Calling it 'Guru Utsav' has created a big controversy in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu, which is vehemently against the imposition of Hindi or Sanskrit, feels that the Centre is trying to impose Hindi and Sanskrit through backdoor by organising events like this.
DMK chief M Karunanidhi has already issued a strong statement questioning the motives. Karunanidhi said that the Centre was plotting to defeat the Tamil language by renaming the day in Hindi.
He added that the government was seeking to impose Hindi on Tamil Nadu to destroy the Tamil culture. "This morning I read a newspaper report that the Central Government has issued a circular to celebrate Teachers' Day (September 5) as Guru Utsav hereafter. We have been celebrating Teachers' Day for several years. This is an apt example of hatching a conspiracy to downgrade Tamil language and those who made sacrifices for its welfare," he said.
NDA ally and MDMK chief Vaiko has also demanded that the government withdraw the order to celebrate Teachers day as 'Guru Utsav', adding that national integrity can only be strengthened if India's languages are protected and nurtured.
Another ally of the BJP, the PMK has described the 'Guru Utsav' as a discreet attempt to impose Sanskrit. PMK chief Dr Ramadoss said, "We welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to interact with students on September 5, coinciding with Teachers' Day, however, we oppose the day being called as 'Guru Utsav.' It is not proper for the Central government to have changed the name as Guru Utsav. This is a discreet attempt to impose Sanskrit, which is not acceptable."
West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee also refused to facilitate the live coverage of the PM's speech at schools. The TMC feels that the Centre is trying to encroach upon education, which is essentially a state subject.
Even though the Congress led state governments in Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Haryana, Assam, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Manipur have not made their stand clear, it is unlikely that they would ask the schools to ensure the attendance of children during the PM's speech between 3 PM and 5 PM. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already expressed his disappointment with Prime Minister Modi.
Modi always speaks in Hindi and he is expected to do the same this time too. Most children in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and North Eastern states don't understand Hindi. People in these states are also questioning the PM's address to the children claiming that this event would be of no use as they don't understand Hindi.
Even in Hindi speaking and Hindi knowing states, the school administration claims that the children would be forced to stay back for the PM's speech, which is scheduled for 3 PM to 5 PM. Most schools start at 8 o'clock in the morning and the children start their day at 5 o'clock .
Instead of creating one more controversy, the Centre could have asked the respective state governments to give a translated version of PM's message or speech to the students. In a federal system like India, the Centre imposing the things over the states, that too a very sensitive hot potato like language can lead to more tension and bad blood.
The Centre must realise that and tread cautiously in future. It should also learn to respect all Indian languages and treat them equally. Hindi can't be put above other languages.
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