Minister for primary and secondary education in Karnataka BC Nagesh’s statement that Ganesha festival celebrations would be allowed in Karnataka has drawn flak from various fronts.

In response to the statement that he made in one of the events that he took part in, which subsequently went viral on social media on Wednesday, many questioned the minister’s opinion, asking him to allow for other festivals to be celebrated as well. 

Nagesh defended in the video that Ganesha festival has been celebrated even pre-independence and must not be seen as a mere worship but as an occasion that calls for all to gather.

Meanwhile, other communities have also made representations that permission be granted to celebrate other festivals as well in schools. Some on social media also sought that festivals such as Id must also be celebrated in schools to promote secularism. 

Meanwhile, Shafi Saadi, Chairman of the Waqf Board requested that the education department set aside a separate room for namaz in schools. 

“There should be an opportunity for the celebration of festivals of our religion. Children belonging to all religions must have equal rights,” Shafi Saadi said. He added: “During the hijab crisis also, we had clarified that misunderstandings must be allayed through creating awareness about religious matters. Like the Ganesha festival is celebrated, a room should be kept for the practice of Islam.”

With inputs from Timesnow.com 

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