In the wake of security threat to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the Islamic State (IS), the Human Resource Development Ministry (HRD) is mulling to cancel the award distribution ceremony of Kala Utsav, scheduled on Friday (December 11) at the Siri Fort Auditorium in the national Capital.
The Ministry would felicitate children selected out of 1,400 from across the country. The selected students have been invited for the five-day Kala Utsav, which will start from Tuesday.
According to sources, the Ministry is thinking on cancelling the programme after warning was issued by the Home Ministry about the IS planning an “aerial attack” at 15 sensitive locations in New Delhi, including Prime Minister’s official residence at 7, Race Course Road.
Sources in the Ministry added that a students’ cultural programme, which is part of Kala Ustav, at Central Park on Saturday (December 12) would also be cancelled due to security reasons.
“Since the award distribution ceremony is to be held at the Siri Fort Auditorium, which is also under the high-risk zone, the HRD Ministry on the advise of security agencies is mulling to cancel the event,” said a Ministry official. The official said since it is concerned with the PM’s security, the Ministry will not take a risk and work in tandem with intelligence agencies.
Kala Utsav, an initiative of the HRD Ministry, is aimed at promoting arts in education by nurturing and showcasing the talent of schoolchildren at the secondary stage.