Dharwad: A delegation of representatives of Christian educational institutions met deputy commissioner Divya Prabhu and clarified that they had not violated any orders of the education department as far as announcing holidays for schools.

The meeting came in the wake of Sri Ram Sene volunteers staging a protest demonstration in front of the DDPI’s office and demanding an order to the Christian educational institutions to declare holidays for Dasara. The Sri Ram Sene had also demanded that the grant-in-aid to the schools violating the order should be stopped.

The delegation stated that for nearly four decades, they have been adjusting the Dasara holidays with Christmas holidays and have not violated any govt rules.

Some organisations had raised objections, alleging that schools run by Christian institutions were functioning during the Dasara vacation and disregarding holiday regulations.

However, the institutions explained in their memorandum that they have not broken any rules. They said the commissioner of the department of school education has permitted schools to adjust the Dasara holidays in order to grant leave during Christmas.

The memorandum further stated that although higher authorities had given such approval, the Dharwad City block education officer (BEO) claimed that Christian schools had not submitted any proposal regarding Christmas holidays to his office, and therefore he had issued an order to immediately suspend ongoing classes and examinations in these schools.

The delegation warned in the memorandum that if obstacles were created in running the schools, they would be forced to launch a protest.