TN Activists Urge Govt To Stop 'Partition Horrors Day' Events In Schools: 'Could Foster Hate'

Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary of SPCSS-TN, expressed concerns that children in events related to the partition could have adverse psychological effects and potentially foster hatred.

The directive from Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi’s office, which was issued on August 9 and directly instructed the CBSE and ICSE Schools Association to observe the day, has been controversial.

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The State Platform for Common School System-Tamil Nadu (SPCSS-TN) has called on the Tamil Nadu government to halt the observance of "Partition Horrors Remembrance Day" in schools. The call follows a directive from the Governor's Secretary, R Kirlosh Kumar, to various school associations, including those following Nursery, Primary, Matric, CBSE, and ICSE curricula, advising them to commemorate the day.

In a memorandum addressed to Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena, PB Prince Gajendra Babu, the general secretary of SPCSS-TN, expressed concerns that involving children in events related to the partition could have adverse psychological effects and potentially foster hatred, according to a report on PTI. He argued that the secretary's directive, issued by an IAS officer, does not align with legal standards and requested the Governor's Secretariat to withdraw the letter and for the associations to refrain from acting on it.

"SPCSS-TN appeals to the Government of Tamil Nadu to immediately take action to stop such activities in schools today (August 14, 2024) and in future," he said as per the report. The State Platform for Common School System-Tamil Nadu is a forum for educationists with socialist principles.

The directive from Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi’s office, which was issued on August 9 and directly instructed the CBSE and ICSE Schools Association to observe the day, has been controversial, as reported by The News Minute. The Governor’s bypassing of the state government in this matter has sparked discontent among some educational and political circles.

Meanwhile, Partition Horrors Remembrance Day aka Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas is observed annually on August 14 in India by PM Modi-led government since 2021. The day is dedicated to commemorating the victims and the suffering endured by millions of people during the 1947 partition of India.