Sushil Modi Criticizes Bihar State Government’s Decision to Hold Teacher Training During Navratri

Patna, 14th October 2023: Rajya Sabha member Sushil Modi lambasted the state government’s recent decision to conduct teacher training during the Hindu festival of Navratri, calling it “an attack on the religious freedom of Hindus.” He urged the government to reconsider the timing of the program, saying it amounts to deliberate harassment of the majority community.

According to Modi, the move is part of a larger pattern of actions taken by the Grand Alliance government, which he labeled as “anti-Sanatan Dharma” and critical of the sacred Hindu text, Shri Ramcharitmanas. He pointed out that the government had already tried to reduce holidays for Hindu festivals.

“We’re not against training school teachers. But scheduling such a program during a major Hindu festival like Durga Puja shows a lack of sensitivity towards the religious sentiments of the majority community,” said Modi.

The training is slated to occur from October 16 to 21, and teachers have been instructed to arrive at the training centers by the evening of October 15. Sushil Modi questioned the timing of the program, asking whether the Education Department would ever consider holding a week-long training session during the Islamic holy month of Ramzan.

“This Tughlaqi order must be retracted,” the Rajya Sabha MP emphasized, referring to the order as high-handed and arbitrary. He warned that such moves could have broader implications on the religious freedom of Hindus and urged immediate reconsideration of the decision.