Hindu Outfits Seek Action Against Karnataka Private Schools Over Dasara Holiday Dispute

Hindu organisations in Karnataka have urged the School Education Department to act against private schools allegedly holding classes and examinations during the state-declared Dasara holidays and shifting the break to December.

SriRama Sena-Karnataka and Hindu Jana Jagruti Vedike submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Director of School Education in Ramanagara and Bengaluru South, demanding enforcement of the government’s holiday notification.

The organisations said the government had announced a 19-day holiday for schools and colleges from October 3 to October 21 for Dasara. They alleged that some private schools were continuing regular classes and conducting examinations despite complaints from parents and members of the public.

The groups argued that Dasara has deep cultural significance in Karnataka and that the holiday was intended to allow students to spend time with their families and understand the state’s cultural traditions. They said holding classes and examinations during the break placed additional pressure on students and undermined the purpose of the holiday.

SriRama Sena-Karnataka district president Paramesh Gowda K. also alleged that some private institutions were not granting a Dasara break while providing a longer holiday around Christmas. The organisation said it had been raising the issue for three years and demanded that schools comply with the government notification.

The demand, however, was opposed by D. Shashikumar of the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS), who termed it “totally wrong”.

Shashikumar said private and unaided schools had to meet prescribed syllabus and working-day requirements and could adjust their holiday schedules accordingly. Some schools, he said, might reduce holidays by about a week and provide the break in December.

He added that schools had some flexibility regarding local festivals and could provide three to four days of leave depending on circumstances. CBSE and ICSE institutions, he noted, followed their respective academic structures and timetables.

“The Education Department is not a dictator. Schools are required to function for 245 days as per the rules,” Shashikumar said.