The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has asked schools in Madhya Pradesh not to instruct Hindu students to dress up as Santa Claus and bring Christmas trees without their parents' permission. The Hindu-body is also sending letters to schools in 16 districts of the state.
A release from the right-wing organisation asked schools not to ask "Sanatan Hindu" students to dress up as Sana Claus adding that it was an "attack" on Hindu culture and a conspiracy to inspire Hindu children to adopt Christianity, reported PTI.
The VHP 'Madhya Bharat' unit further added that such a step by schools would put a financial burden on parents as they would have to buy Santa Claus attire for their children.
"Children should be made (dressed up as) Ram, Krishna, Gautam Buddha, Mahavir, Guru Govind Singh, great revolutionaries but not Santa. Bharat is the land of saints and not Santa," the outfit said in the release.
"Therefore, all the schools are requested not to dress up Hindu children as Santa Claus without the prior permission of the parents and if any school does so, VHP will take statutory legal action against the school concerned," the statement added.
VHP Madhya Bharat Prant Prachar Pramukh Jitendra Chouhan told PTI that a letter to this effect was being sent to schools in 16 districts in Madhya Pradesh which are part of 32 organisational districts of the outfit.
PM Modi Wishes On Christmas
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended his greetings on the occasion of Christmas. The PM took to Twitter and wrote, "Merry Christmas! May this special day further the spirit of harmony and joy in our society. We recall the noble thoughts of Lord Christ and the emphasis on serving society."