Thaindian News

Chandigarh, July 17 (IANS) The opposition Congress in Punjab has sought the intervention of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to prevent Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal from misusing government schools during his night stays, a party leader said Sunday.

Congress legislator Sukhpal Singh Khaira urged the high court chief justice to “immediately take suo moto cognizance of chief minister’s unlawful and absurd activity of turning classrooms into toilets for his night stay”.

During Badal’s night halt after a public durbar in Chappianwali village July 7 and Kotbhai village July 8, classrooms in government schools were equipped with a toilet seat, media reports said last week. Portable air conditioners, sofa sets and double beds were also provided.

“Classrooms used as urinals were left stinking the next morning and due to this foul smell, children could not study,” Khaira said.

He pointed out that in one of the schools, students were made to sit outside in the heat as all furniture and equipment was dislocated due to Badal’s proposed stay.

“Students of Kotbhai Adarsh school complained that their computers and tables were uprooted on July 7 and brought back on July 10, a lapse in their studies for three clear days,” the legislator said.

“The Congress is of the firm opinion that such misuse of government schools for political motives is nothing but an absurd and obnoxious activity, which will derail our education system,” he said.

Claiming that Badal is “hell bent to destroy school infrastructure”, Khaira said: “In case the chief minister wishes to be amongst the people, he should choose residential premises of his party workers or gurdwaras. No government premises should be allowed to become a playground for politics and votes.”