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Circular promoting “patriotism and cultural pride” was issued via an official WhatsApp group before being abruptly withdrawn

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The Rajasthan government on Sunday scrapped an order that had directed schools to observe December 6 – the anniversary of the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition – as “Shaurya Diwas”, a day of valour, officials said.

The instruction, circulated late Saturday on an official WhatsApp group, had asked government and private schools to organise activities promoting “patriotism, nationalism, bravery, cultural pride and national unity”, according to local media reports.

The Babri mosque was demolished by Hindu nationalist groups on Dec. 6, 1992, sparking deadly communal riots across India. In a 2019 ruling, the Supreme Court declared the demolition illegal but granted the disputed land for the construction of a Ram temple, while directing that a separate plot in Ayodhya be allotted for a new mosque. The Ram temple was inaugurated in January 2024.

State Education and Panchayati Raj Minister Madan Dilawar said on Sunday that the order was being withdrawn due to school examinations scheduled for Dec. 5 and 6. “It is not possible to conduct any other activities or events during the examination period,” he said, adding that any planned observances would be postponed.

However, Director of Secondary Education Sitaram Jat told PTI he was unaware of how the circular had been issued, saying no formal instructions had been dispatched by the department.

The withdrawn circular had proposed a full-day programme of essay and speech competitions on themes related to Indian culture and the Ram temple movement, as well as poster-making, patriotic songs, folk dances, short plays, yoga sessions and special assemblies featuring hymns dedicated to the deity Ram. It also encouraged schools to organise “Shaurya Yatras” on campus and invite military personnel and community figures to address students.