New Delhi, September 1
Political storm today erupted over PM Narendra Modi’s decision to address school students on Teacher’s Day with the government terming attendance at the event voluntary and the opposition Congress slamming the move as self-promotion by Modi.

While the Congress questioned constitutional propriety of the move wondering why the PM’s address is compulsory and what he possibly wished to convey to children of Classes I or II, HRD Minister Smriti Irani said no one was thrusting the initiative on any school and state education secretaries had been consulted on the move.

“There is no compulsion on anyone. It’s an interactive session between the PM and students. The session is scheduled at 3pm because the PM’s presence is required at the National Teachers’ Awards presentation by the President in the morning. It’s unfortunate that politics is being played on the issue,” Irani said today as the Congress objected to the move saying the PM’s address was sure to have political content.

“Use of government machinery for compulsory viewing of PM’s address in schools is nothing, but a political propaganda. This exercise is unheard of in India’s history,” said Congress leader Abhiskeh Manu Singhvi at a time when three states, including Maharashtra, reportedly said they would not make arrangements for the address. “Education is a concurrent subject and states are free to make their choices,” he added. The Congress, meanwhile, listed out cases where ABVP activists were involved in assaults on teachers and female students.