Renaming Teachers' day to 'Guru Utsav': Is it a BJP’s ploy to propagate ‘Hindi-Hindu’ theory?

After high uproar over usage of Hindi on social media platform, then celebration of Sanskrit week in schools, now Modi Government's new move to change teachers day as 'Guru Utsav' is snowballing into major controversy.

Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) had recently issued a directive to all the schools of the country, ordering them to make proper arrangements so that students could hear out Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of 'Guru Utsav'.

According to a PTI report, after getting signal from Ministry, the Directorate of Education (DoE) of Delhi government issued a notification to all schools, ordering them to make arrangements for a broadcast of the Prime Minister's address on September 5.

The DoF also directed schools to facilitate a Question and Answer session with schoolchildren through various medium like television or through Internet connections.

Why to rename Teacher's Day as 'Guru Utsav'?

Raising question mark over the intent of Modi Government, DMK Chief Karunanidhi has said that the Aryans are plotting to destroy Tamil language and culture.

Karunanidhi as quoted by NDTV said, "For years we've celebrated it as Teacher's Day. The Centre has now changed it to 'Guru Utsav' through a government order. This is how they first lay their hands on our language. After defeating it they plot little by little to defeat those belonging to the language, those who reached great heights through language and those who hurt themselves for the language. We do not need any other example for this."

Though DMK chief might have his political compulsion to arouse this linguistic fight, but point is why there is need of renaming Teacher's Day as 'Guru Utsav'. Teachers day is celebrated every year with much aplomb but why this unnecessary controversy?

In sixties, Tamil Nadu had witnessed violent protest over Hindi being declared as sole official language of the Country.

The issue still is being seen as an emotive one in the state and Dravidian parties never leave an opportunity of arousing the sentiment of Tamil people by raking up the issue of Hindi-Tamil fight. And the sole motive of these parties is to get political mileage out of it.

Other parties have also lashed out at Government for this unnecessary controversy. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President

"It shows the dictatorial mindset and attitude. We have no objections to students listening to speeches of the President, the prime minister and the chief minister. But the way it is being forced is surprising," Manikrao Thakare, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President said.

Another Congress leader Manish Tewari said, "The government is inconveniencing teachers, students and parents. The PM should re-schedule his speech."

Reportedly, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee has also raised objection over the issue.

Government's motive was in dock over Hindi use in Social media and Sanskrit week

Earlier, Government's motive was also questioned when Union Home Ministry had issued directives to use Hindi for interactions on the social media. All the Tamil Nadu parties including BJP's allies like MDMK and PMK had slammed that move. Though, the new dispensation had latter clarified that it was only for Hindi speaking States.

After massive upheaval an official spokesperson had said, "Use of Hindi on government of India's social media platforms is only for Hindi-speaking states... Hindi is not being imposed on non-Hindi-speaking states".

The Dravidian parties had also flexed their muscle over Sanskrit week celebration in the schools.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had vociferously opposed CBSE's plan to celebrate Sanskrit week in schools. Jayalalithaa has suggested that instead of Sanskrit celebration, more appropriate move would be to organise a 'Classical Language Week' in each State based on its linguistic heritage.

In a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jayalalithaa said, "Tamil Nadu has a rich cultural heritage based on the ancient Tamil language. There has also been a strong social justice and language movement in the State. Hence, any official celebration of 'Sanskrit week' in Tamil Nadu is highly inappropriate".

Is this BJP's planned strategy?

Whether ‘the move' of changing name is planned strategy to assert Hindi-Hindu theory or not, that needs to be cross-checked with available facts. Hindu and Hindi must be most searched out topic recently after BJP came to power.

Hardly a day passes when BJP's coteries not evoke Hindu sentiments by giving divisive statements. And party MP Yogi Adityanath leads this chart.

It seems, BJP is not at all perturbed by communal statements by this firebrand Hindu leader and that is why he has been rewarded recently by party high command. He was given charge of party campaign in Uttar Pradesh by-polls.

Adityanath recently said that Muslims are responsible for all the recent riots in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier he had said if one Hindu will be killed then 10 Muslims be killed in retaliation. He has been quite vocal in favour of "love jihad" campaign of the party.

Modi Government's ‘inclusive politics' threatened by party acolytes

Prime Minister always reiterated this point that his government believes in inclusive politics which mean no community will be discriminated at any point of time and has equal right to avail resources of the country.

But this has been constantly challenged by party coteries through their statements and various actions.

Every now and then, various right wing organisations come up with their new definition of ‘Hindutva'. Some express their opinion in muted tone while some in more assertive manner.

Right from RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, VHP convener Ashok Singhal to Yogi Adityanath, everyone has pushed Modi Government on slippery track with their statements.

The Government, acting like mute spectator on whole matter is giving fodder to opposition that these unruly people have got nod of higher authorities.

BJP must clarify openly on whole matter otherwise day is not very far when it will also face similar fate as UPA did recently.