Karnataka education department urged to enforce Dussehra holiday order, cites cultural significance

Bengaluru, Oct 5 – In a coordinated effort, Hindu organisations have appealed to the Karnataka School Education Department to apply the Dussehra holiday directive uniformly across all private schools. The appeal was delivered to the Deputy Director of School Education for Ramnagar and Bengaluru South by Shri Ram Sena Karnataka and Hindu Jan Jagruti Vedike.

The state government announced a 19‑day holiday spanning Oct 3‑21, emphasizing Dussehra’s historical and cultural importance and encouraging students to spend time with their families while learning about regional heritage. Yet, reports indicate that several private schools have ignored the decree, continuing classes and examinations, and instead offering an extended break during December’s Christmas festivities.

The petition stresses that holding classes during the holiday creates unnecessary stress for students and defeats the purpose of the cultural leave. It also alleges that the practice hurts Hindu religious sentiments, a concern highlighted by Shri Ram Sena Karnataka’s district president Paramesh Gauda.

The Karnataka Association of Management of Schools (KAMS) has countered the demand, arguing that private schools must follow the prescribed syllabus and academic calendar, and that limited local festival breaks of three to four days are permissible.