Religious Festivals Now Banned In Residential Schools And Colleges In Karnataka

On the directive of Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa, the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society (KREIS) has prohibited all religious events in schools and colleges under its jurisdiction. This decision comes in response to objections raised regarding the selective observance of festivals in these institutions.

In a letter dated February 1, the Social Welfare Minister instructed residential schools to cease observing any religious events. Consequently, the KREIS issued an order mandating the celebration of only national and state festivals.

The order stated, "All residential schools/colleges under the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Association will have to celebrate only national festivals as directed by the government. But apart from some national festivals, other religious festivals such as Ugadi, Ramzan, Christmas, Eid Milad, Sankranti and other festivals are observed."

The festivals permitted for celebration in schools/colleges under KREIS are:

• Republic Day
• Independence Day
• Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
• Kannada Rajyotsava
• Dr. BR Ambedkar Jayanti
• Valmiki Jayanti
• Kanakadas Jayanti
• Basava Jayanti
• Constitution Day
• Yoga Day

Additionally, the KREIS has warned principals, staff, and other personnel of strict action if any religious festivals are celebrated in government-run institutions. This decision follows objections raised against the selective observance of festivals in various residential schools across the state.

The matter was brought to the attention of the Social Welfare Minister, who instructed officials to issue an order prohibiting all religious events in schools under the KREIS.