The BJP administration in the Muslim majority Lakshadweep has brought a new calendar declaring Fridays as working days and Sunday holidays in the schools on the Islands, ending the decades-old tradition of students in the Muslim- majority Islands. Muslims form 96% of the population in Lakshadweep.
A copy of the order from Union Territory’s education department seen by The Cognate directs modification of school timing and regular activities to “ensure optimum utilization of resources and to ensure proper engagement of learners and necessary planning of the teaching-learning process.”
The order gives a detailed schedule of the number of working days and class periods per day. It says the number of working days in a week is six with Sundays as holidays, thus discontinuing Friday as off.
Muslims have opposed the move arguing that for them Friday was a suitable day for a Holiday given Muslims hold congregational afternoon prayers.
Local representatives say the decision was taken by the administration without any consultation with them.
A local leader told Indian Express anonymously that local dweep panchayats and school PTAs were not consulted before the administration passed the order.
Mohammed Faizal PP, leader of the Nationalist Congress Party and a member of Parliament from Lakhshawdeep termed the administration’s decision ‘unilateral’ and ‘unpopular’.
He said: “This is a totally one-sided decision. Only if he (administrator) has discussions with elected representatives, can he understand the local issues. Here, he decides and the education department director has no choice but to release an order. Already, there is a prevailing madrassa system on the Islands on Friday mornings. The new timings will (clash with it).”
The Express report further quotes him saying, “Since the inception of the education system in Lakshadweep, this (Friday being a weekly holiday) has been going on. Suddenly, the current administrator, the 36th on the Island, decided that Friday will be a working day. There was no demand from the people (to change the existing system). The new decision is totally needless.”
He said due to repressive actions of the administration against dissenters in the past, people are afraid to come out and hold demonstrations. Faizal said those who oppose the policies of the administration are likely to face disciplinary action.
He said he will write a letter to the Home Minister and Prime Minister to show his opposition to the decision to shift the holiday.
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Rushda Fathima Khan is the Staff Reporter for The Cognate.
