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Uproar in Lok Sabha over schools being told to remain open on Christmas

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Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed uproar over the reported move to keep schools open on Christmas with several opposition parties accusing government of "misleading" the House and implementing Sangh Parivar agenda, evoking a sharp attack on the Gandhi family from treasury benches.

Congress, TMC, Left and NCP walked out of the House, expressing dissatisfaction over government's reply that Christmas holiday will not be disturbed as it observes 'Good Governance Day' to mark the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which is also on December 25.

The issue, which has been causing uproar in Parliament since Monday, was raised by K C Venugopal from Congress who read out official "circulars" asking schools and universities to observe the day by organising several activities. The circulars, he said, also sought photographs and video-recordings of these events as a proof of their compliance. "How can you send photographs and videos without holding events in schools?" he asked, countering government's claim that these were online activities. Government's reply is "incorrect" and "misleading", he said as several opposition raised slogans.

In his reply, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu instead charged opposition with "misleading" the nation and said it's a very sensitive issue. As Naidu insisted that Christmas holiday will not be disturbed and quoted a circular to this effect, some opposition members accused the government of implementing Sangh Parivar agenda.

The minister then took a dig at the Gandhi family, saying "Family ka saath, desh ka vinash, Congress ka vinash" (With family, destruction of country, destruction of Congress). This was vociferously opposed by Congress members. "They attacked my family, I have attacked theirs. If they withdraw their words, I will mine," Naidu said.

Shouting slogans against the government, Congress members walked out. They were joined by TMC, Left and NCP.

"What can I do? My great former Prime Minister (Vajpayee) was born on that day," Naidu said in his reply and noted that functions are held on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2 as well.

HRD Minister Smriti Irani was also heard shouting amid the din that the government had not misled the House.

Earlier, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she had sought "facts" about the matter from the HRD Ministry.

As soon as the House met for the day, some Congress members wanted to raise the issue saying that school students are confused about the reported plans of the Ministry.

"I have asked for facts (on the issue) from HRD Ministry," Mahajan said amid protests from Congress members.

There have been reports that government was planning to hold good governance day celebrations in schools on December 25, which is a holiday because of Christmas.

In the wake of the controversy, Irani had said schools and colleges would remain closed on December 25. 

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