Pakistan school punished after students wave India's flag
Pakistani authorities have suspended the registration of a school in Karachi after some students danced to an Indian song and waved India's national flag during a cultural event, hurting the country's "national dignity". A show-cause notice was issued to the school's owner on Wednesday to appear before the Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions Sindh (DIRPIS). Read the details here.
Incident came to light after video of function went viral
The incident, which happened last week, came to light after a video of the function went viral on social media, facing severe criticism from people. The registration of the 'Mama Baby Care Cambridge School' has been suspended for allegedly promoting Indian culture, media reported.
Promoting Indian culture in educational institution couldn't be tolerated: DIRPIS
The DIRPIS has formed a three-member committee to probe into the school's function in which students were dancing on an Indian song and waving national flag of India in the background, it said. According to DIRPIS registrar Rafia Javed "promoting Indian culture in educational institutions was against Pakistan's national dignity which could not be tolerated in any circumstances".
School owner asked to explain his stance on the matter
The action was taken when the directorate came to know that the school had deliberately arranged such a function. The owner of the school was asked to explain his stance about the matter within three days after receiving the notice else his school's registration would be cancelled. However, the school's owner didn't respond to authorities nor appeared before the officials to clear his position.
It's a sensitive matter, could trigger public anger: Javed
The school owner's supposed defiance led to the suspension of the registration. Javed meanwhile said it was a very sensitive matter that possibly could trigger public anger. The school's vice-principal Fatima said last week, the school management arranged an event for the students to make them aware about the cultures of different countries, like Saudi Arabia, the US, Egypt, Pakistan, India and other countries.
Reporters twisted the matter, picked only a part: Fatima
However, some reporters twisted the matter and picked only a specific part of the program to target the school, said Fatima. India and Pakistan's already-bad relationship got worse after the recent Pulwama terrorist attack, which killed at least 40 CRPF personnel.
