Army Chief should do his job, not give sermons: J& K mantri

State’s students, teachers were ‘ very efficient’: Bukhari

Jammu and Kashmir education minister Syed Altaf Bukhari on Saturday hit back at Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat over his remark that government schools in the state are spreading a “disinformation campaign” which is radicalising the youth, saying the Army’s “meddling” in the state’s affairs was unacceptable

The minister asked the Army not to meddle with what is not its domain and give sermons to the state on how to run its education system.

“Army should concentrate on their job and not interfere in education sector. Education is in the state’s domain and we know how to run it. We don’t want any sermons

Everyone has his own domain. Those who have no link to education are talking about it. It is not a fair comment and we do not accept it. — Syed Altaf

Bukhari,

J& K minister

from them,” he said while addressing the media here.

“I would be glad to see them ( Army) doing what they are supposed to do and leave us to do what we are supposed to do. Our chief minister is capable enough to take decisions regarding the improvement of education department,” he added.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Friday, Gen. Rawat said that the social media and government schools in Jammu and Kashmir are spreading a “disinformation campaign”, resulting in radicalisation of youth, and called for “some control” over mosques and madrsas in the restive state. He had also said a “major revamp” of the education system was needed in the State to deal with the problem.

The Army Chief had further said that each classroom in government schools in J& K has a separate map of the state besides that of India.

“If you go to any Kashmir school, you will find two maps — one is the map of India and one is the map of Jammu and Kashmir. There are always two maps in every classroom. Why should there be a map of Jammu and Kashmir. If you are putting a map of Jammu and Kashmir, then you may as well put map of every state. “What does it mean to children that I am part of the country but I also have a separate identity?”

“Everyone has his own domain. Those who have no link to education are talking about it. It is not a fair comment and we do not accept it,” Mr Bukhari said in response to Gen. Rawat’s remark.

The minister said the state’s students and teachers were “very efficient”, and “some have topped the IAS exam”.

Mr Bukhari said while the state’s education system may have shortcomings, there was no need for sermons about it from the Army.