The Principal of St Stephen's College has sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention over Good Governance Day.
To prove it is not intent on turning Christmas into a working day, the government has sent a new letter to colleges in Delhi, asking that events to celebrate 'Good Governance Day' be organized before the holiday.
An earlier letter , signed by M Lal, one of about a dozen Deans at the Delhi University, was sent to colleges like St Stephen's and SRCC. It said a top official at the Human Resources Development Ministry wanted colleges to hold two events on Christmas - a seminar on the topic 'Use of Technology and Innovations in promoting Good Governance' and an oratory competition.
The government has said that December 25, which is the 90th birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, will be commemorated across the country with tributes to efficient governance. The opposition has protested vigorously against the move to turn a national holiday into a working day for educational institutions.
"We are all for good governance, and we believe in it strongly,'' said Rev Valson Thampu, who heads St Stephen's. "But should they be telling us how to celebrate good governance?'' He is hoping the Prime Minister will step in. "I am sure he will intervene as he once told me that even people of differing views can be friends.''
Most Delhi University students have started vacation after their exams and will be back on campus in January. There are other logistical problems for colleges. They are all closed for the winter break from December 17 - January 4. One teacher of a women's college said, "They can call in the teachers to hold this, but where will they get the students?''
Other principals like Dr Ashok Sahgal of Shri Ram College of Commerce said they were emailing 150 of their teachers. "Even if 50 of them can come in, we can organise this event,'' he told NDTV.