Jethmalani says controversy over Good Governance Day 'useless'

Rajya Sabha MP Ram Jethmalani on Monday termed the controversy over 'Good Governance Day' celebration as useless, saying it was draining the nation of its valuable time and energy.

"These are all useless controversies on which the national time is being wasted and unnecessarily our energy is being wasted and they are an unnecessary division. (It is) friction for nothing, avoidable friction," he said here.

"If any inconvenience is caused, tell the authorities politely that this is an inconvenience, please remove this. It's a simple thing," the noted lawyer added.

He further stated that if there were any inconveniences, they would be taken care of immediately after December 25.

Earlier in the day, Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani had trashed reports suggesting that schools may possibly have to remain open on Christmas, saying it was unfortunate that misreporting had been deliberately done.

She added that December 25 would remain a holiday, and schools will be closed on that day.

"25th of December is Christmas and will be celebrated as such in our schools. And the schools will be shut on that day, will not operate, it is a holiday," Irani said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier this month declared that 'Good Governance Day' will be observed on former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birthday on December 25.