The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of a complaint highlighting non-observance of Independence Day in certain government schools in the villages of Punjab located along the India-Pakistan border. The NHRC Bench headed by Priyank Kanoongo issued a notice to the state government on 18th August, seeking a detailed report.
The Commission acted on a complaint filed on 17th August raising concerns over Independence Day celebrations not being held in several government schools, particularly those located in border villages of Punjab.
It issued directions to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab to examine whether children studying in these government schools were afforded an equal opportunity to participate in educational and co-curricular activities intended to acquaint them with the country’s constitutional framework, freedom struggle, national symbols, civic responsibilities and national values.
The NHRC emphasised the significance of observance of national festivals at schools and inculcation of a feeling of patriotism and respect for national symbols in children.
It said that occasions of national importance such as Independence Day offer children an opportunity to learn about India’s freedom struggle, the Constitution, national symbols, civic duties, national unity and democratic values.
“The Commission further emphasises that the observance of national festivals and inculcation of patriotism and respect for national symbols are important components of a child’s educational experience; however, such activities should not operate to the exclusion or restriction of the child’s overall development. Educational institutions are expected to provide an environment that facilitates the holistic development of every child, including academic, physical, emotional, social, cultural and creative development, consistent with the constitutional guarantee of the right to education under Article 21-A of the Constitution of India,” the Commission stated in the notice.
The Commission asked the Punjab Education Department to apprise it “whether the instructions applicable to schools in connection with Independence Day, 2026 were duly communicated to all Government schools in Punjab; whether they were implemented uniformly; what monitoring mechanism was put in place by the State Education Department; and whether any geographical, administrative, infrastructural or other factor resulted in certain categories of children being deprived of opportunities available to children elsewhere in the State”.
NHRC directs Punjab government to identify schools that did not observe Independence Day
The Human Rights body directed the Punjab government to identify the districts and schools where Independence Day activities were not conducted, specifically identify schools situated in rural, remote and border areas, provide the reasons recorded for non-compliance or inadequate compliance and indicate whether any complaints or reports of non-compliance were received before, during or after 15th August and the action taken thereon.
“The report shall specifically state whether any such disparity, if found, was attributable to administrative instructions, lack of supervision, inadequate resources, geographical constraints, absence of teachers/officials, infrastructure limitations, or any other identifiable cause, and the remedial measures proposed or undertaken by the State Government,” the Commission stated.
The Commission has sought a detailed Action Taken/Compliance Report from the Chief Secretary, Punjab, within four weeks. It has also sought relevant information from the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and informed the Ministry of Home Affairs for appropriate action.
