Gandhinagar: A talent search competition conducted in a Gujarat school has landed the institution in trouble. One of the titles given to students participating in the oratory competition was 'My Role Model - Nathuram Godse'. What is more controversial is that the first prize was given to a girl student who spoke on the Godse title — apparently criticising Mahatma Gandhi and glorifying Nathuram Godse.
Sources said Mitaben Gavli, a probationary class-2 District Youth Development Officer for the Valsad district, was suspended following an inquiry by the education department. Gavli gave three topics for the competition including the adulation for Godse. The other two titles were - 'I like only those birds who fly in the sky' and 'I will become a scientist but will not go to the US"
Minister of State for Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities, Harsh Saghavi said, "I have ordered an inquiry into this incident. We will take action against the guilty." Within hours, the order suspending Gavli was issued. The order stated that the officer should have taken extra care in selecting the topics for the elocution competition, which was organised by the department's Valsad office on February 14 at a private school. It was open for students of primary schools in the age group of 11 to 13 years from the entire Valsad district.
"In the district-level competition held on February 14, school children were given three subjects to choose from. One of the subjects provided by Gavli was 'My Role Model - Nathuram Godse'. The other two subjects were - 'I like only those birds who fly in the sky' and 'I will become a scientist but will not go to the US," the suspension order stated.
When the department sought information from the Valsad district Primary Education Officer, BD Bariaya, he told the department that Gavli had selected these subjects and had written letters to primary schools to inform them about the upcoming elocution competition, read the suspension order.
On February 16, newspapers carried reports about the selection of such a controversial subject for the competition. It appears that you have not taken due care in selecting subjects despite being a responsible government official. Thus, in the interest of public and administrative interest, you are put under suspension with immediate effect, it further said.
Reacting sharply to it, Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said it was "reprehensible". "Attempts have been made to portray Godse as a hero by portraying Mahatma Gandhiji as the weak leader of India. This will have a direct effect on the psyche of children," he said. Doshi accused the RSS and BJP, he said of manipulating children to alienate them from the Gandhian ideology.
