Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday condemned the Delhi-based school Ryan International for allegedly starting a membership drive for the Bharatiya Janata Party, promising to take strict action against the institute for forcing students into politics.
“This is extremely dangerous. What is happening in schools? There can be nothing more dangerous than schools forcing students into politics. If there is some truth in the story we will take strict action. Students go to schools to study and make a career for themselves, not to join political parties,” said Sisodia.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Manish Tewari said that the incident reflected the ‘saffronisation’ of education, calling for the cancellation of the school’s registration.
“A private school’s students, parents and the entire administration are being asked to become a specific political party’s member. This is an example of saffronisation of education. This school’s registration should be cancelled,” said Tewari.
Ryan International School has started an official membership drive for the BJP asking its students and teachers to join the party.
The school later admitted to have started the membership drive saying that it was “absolutely voluntary” for the students.
However, staffers have refuted this claim, alleging that their salaries have been held back pending their joining the party.
ANI