Rajasthan order asking students to join PM Modi's birthday celebrations sparks controversy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. File | Photo Credit: ANI The Opposition Congress and civil rights groups in Rajasthan on Thursday (September 17, 2026) took exception to a government order asking the college students to participate in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday celebrations. As many as 12 diverse activities will be organised during the month-long celebrations.One of the events listed in the programme is ‘Ashirwad Ka Diya’ (lamp of blessings), in which the students, beneficiaries of government schemes and the public at large have been asked to light the lamps at dusk on the inaugural day of the ‘Viksit Bharat-Jan Seva Abhiyan’.The Commissionerate of College Education has instructed all government and private colleges across the State to organise the events for lighting of lamps on September 17, community service on October 2 and ‘Seva First’ innovation challenge competitions for a fortnight from October 1 to 15, followed by submission of compliance reports.College Education Commissioner Nathmal Didel said in the order that the month-long programme would be conducted on the basis of guidelines issued by the Planning Department. “The campaign is aimed at promoting public service, social concern and good governance,” Mr. Didel said.Some of the private colleges in Jaipur reportedly asked the male members of their staff to stay put to light the lamps after the female teachers expressed their inability to remain present till late evening.The Planning Department’s order stated that the campaign would be monitored through a dedicated portal, requiring the district administration and departments to upload details of programmes, photographs and videos. It said the information about government welfare activities would be spread and the participation of women, farmers and youth encouraged.Congress leader Tika Ram Jully asked why the government departments and educational institutions were being involved in Mr. Modi’s birthday celebrations. “The [ruling] Bharatiya Janata Party wants to hide its colossal failures through such extravagant events. This despite the common people and vulnerable sections grappling with rising inflation and difficult circumstances,” Mr. Jully, the Leader of Opposition, said.The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) said the BJP government had crossed “all limits of sycophancy” by officially celebrating Mr. Modi’s birthday. “Celebrating the birthdays of living, active politicians is a form of sycophancy that imprisons students in the archaic mindset of the feudal era. Institutions of higher learning should foster independent thinking and scientific temper among students,” PUCL national president Kavita Srivastava said.PUCL State president Anant Bhatnagar regretted that the ruling BJP was forcing the college students to become “submissive subjects” rather than developing a critical vision among them. The PUCL termed the government order “authoritarian” and said no attempts should be made to stifle independent thinking of students. Published - September 18, 2026 06:34 am IST