The Coimbatore district education department has ordered a probe following reports of school children being forced to participate in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow in Coimbatore on Monday.
The district education officer initiated an inquiry into the incident. The Sri Sai Baba Vidhyalayam aided middle school management was instructed to take strict action against the headmaster and staff who accompanied the children. They were also asked to submit a detailed report on the incident.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow on Monday, around 50 children from an aided school gathered at the Saibaba Colony Junction, eagerly awaiting his arrival.
Allegations suggest that school authorities instructed the students to attend the roadshow. The children waited by the roadside throughout the evening, with some even dressed as Hindu deities.
This incident is in violation of a directive from the Election Commission of India, which explicitly prohibits the use of children to simulate a political campaign. This prohibition extends to various forms, including poems, songs, speeches, displaying political party symbols, or promoting party achievements.
In response to the incident, Coimbatore District Collector Kranthi Kumar Pati stated, “We have acknowledged the issue, and the ARO (Assistant Returning Officer) has requested reports from relevant departments. Suitable action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry.”
TMC Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale shared the photo on his social media handle, questioning why the Election Commission has not taken any action against those involved.
