Private schools slam Christmas directive on Navodaya students

Three private schools here expressed dismay over the centre's reported directive to Navodaya schools to call students on Christmas, saying that the move would hurt the religious sentiments of Christians.

The principals of Delhi's prominent schools, who IANS spoke to, said though they did not receive any such circular, they expressed their concern over the issue.

"Christmas is the festival of Christians who are a minority community and their festival must be honoured," said Madhulika Sen, principal of Tagore International School.

"All I know is that our school is closed on Dec 25. We have not received any communication from the centre. If we receive any, we will see what needs to be done," she added.

The principal of another famous school in central Delhi said that the "move would hurt the sentiments of Christians."

"If this has happened to Navodaya today, it might happen to private schools too in the future," another school principal said, requesting not to be identified.

The issue rocked parliament also with opposition members seeking the government's response over reports that Navodaya Schools are conducting an essay writing contest Dec 25.

Christmas Day also happens to be the birthday of former prime minister and BJP stalwart Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the NDA government has decided to celebrate it as Good Governance Day.