In a shocking incident, the state government of Gujarat suspended a youth development officer for conducting an elocution contest on the topic “Maro Adarsh Nathuram Godse” (My idol Nathuram Godse) in a school in Valsad, South Gujarat.

The contest was held on February 14, Monday as a part of a talent search competition where students from classes V to VIII from 25 government and private schools took part. The competition was held at Kusum Vidyalaya, a self-financed school. The results were announced and prizes were given away on the same day. 

“We have suspended the officer concerned Neetaben Gavli with immediate effect after we received an order from the higher officials of cultural department in Gandhinagar. They have also started an inquiry into the incident,” Indian Express quoted Valsad district collector Kshipra Agre.

Kusum Vidyalaya, however, said that they had only rented their space out for the contest and no teachers or students were a part of the same. However, Vibes of India reported that a student of Kusum Vidyalaya had participated in the elocution contest and had also won a prize. However, the student spoke on a different topic.

The competition was held in other categories too like Doha Chhand Sopai, folk music, folklore, essay writing, character roles, choral music, bhajans, folk dance and crafts.

B.D. Baraiya, Valsad district education officer, however, said that he was not aware of any such contests taking place even after the topic went viral on social media. 

Quoting the Vibes of India, after the contest (and topic) attracted widespread condemnation, the organisers of the event instructed the boy who won the first prize to return the trophy. “I really worked hard on it and had taken my teachers also into confidence. This is just not fair,” the winner said teary-eyed after he was asked to return the prize.

According to reports, the suspended official was the one who okayed the controversial topic along with other topics ‘All I want is to be a bird and fly in the sky’ and ‘I will become a scientist and not go to America’.

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