Opposition Slams Mystery Diktat to Show PM’s Film in Schools

Mumbai: The Maharashtra opposition has slammed a purported order circulated on social media networks mandating all government schools in the state to exhibit a short film based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ‘Chalo Jeete Hain, next week. The Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have termed it an attempt to make an ‘avatar’ out of Modi while the Maharashtra Principals Association (MPA) made it clear that no such official order had been received.

As per the alleged diktat received by many government schools on WhatsApp, they are required to show the film to primary or secondary students on September 18, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The so-called edict says that the film, to be-be streamed live, should be shown on laptops or desktop computers with a minimum 1Mbps Internet speed, use projectors, screens, and a sound system, besides instructions on how to access it through the Internet browser and popularise the initiative among the students.

However, Maharashtra education department officials, declining to be identified, said no such orders had been issued. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said the alleged fiat is to arrest the PM’s declining popularity among the people and such moves to show films in schools must be strongly opposed. MPA President Prashant Redij said such a move was highly condemnable and if any official order was received, they (MPA) will strongly oppose it.

The 32-minute documentary, directed by Mangesh Hadvale, has been viewed by the President, cabinet ministers and top government officials in the past couple of months, besides broadcasting by certain private television channels on July 29. (IANS)