Educational institutes in Bengal won't observe 'Surgical Strikes Day', says Partha
Kolkata: State Education Partha Chatterjee made it clear that the educational institutes in the state will not observe September 29 as "Surgical Strikes Day".
Slamming the BJP-led government at the Centre, he said that "Surgical Strikes Day" is the saffron party's agenda and an attempt to "malign and politicise" the Army.
"This is an agenda of the BJP and it is trying to push this agenda by using the UGC ahead of elections. It is a matter of shame that they are using the UGC for their political agenda," Chatterjee said.
It may be mentioned that the minister's reaction came in the wake of the University Grants Commission (UGC) telling the higher education institutions earlier this week, to hold programmes and activities to celebrate "Surgical Strikes Day".
According to Chatterjee, the Indian Army should always be kept above politics and controversies.
"We have full respect for our soldiers and their sacrifices. BJP should learn how to be respectful to the sacrifices of our soldiers. They should have asked us to observe the day in the name of the sacrifices made by our soldiers," he added.
In a letter to Vice-Chancellors of different universities on Wednesday, the UGC suggested that institutions ask students to "pledge their support" to the armed forces through letters and cards, which the government will use for publicity.
Talk sessions by ex-servicemen about sacrifices made by the armed forces, special parades by NCC and visit to exhibitions are among the prescribed events by the UGC for the celebration.
A surgical strike is a military attack which results in, was intended to result in, or is claimed to have resulted in damage to only the intended legitimate military target and no or minimal collateral damage to surrounding structures, vehicles, buildings, or the general public infrastructure and utilities.
On September 29, 2016, eleven days after the Uri attack, the Indian Army conducted "surgical strikes" against suspected militants in Pakistani-administered Kashmir. However, Pakistan denied such allegations.
