MUMBAI, 4 April 2008 — The Maharashtra government has asked central schools to follow state norms and make it compulsory for students to sing the “national song” and the national anthem.
The decision was announced in the state Legislative Council after Shiv Sena lawmaker Deepak Sawant said that schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education and Indian Council for Secondary Education resist celebrating the Independence Day and the Republic Day and their students do not sing the “national song” and the anthem.
“There are no holidays on national festivals. Even the pledge is not said in these schools,” the Sena legislator said.
Education Minister Vasant Purke told the house that the government was planning to amend the “secondary code” whereby following state norms would be mandatory for these schools.
“These schools approach the state government for their approval, but fail to follow the secondary code that mentions the norms to be followed. Henceforth, before giving permission to these schools, they would have to furnish a letter promising to accept the state norms,” said Purke.
In the Legislative Assembly, both opposition and ruling party lawmakers urged Deputy Speaker Pramod Shende to withdraw a suspension order of one year served on six opposition legislators for disturbing proceedings in the house and hurling books and boxes containing staples at the presiding officer, Chandrakant Chajjed, on Tuesday.
Shende suggested that the matter be referred to the chief minister and his decision honored.
