Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Punjab Teachers Defend Early Independence Day Functions in Schools
The National Human Rights Commission questioned whether some Punjab government schools held Independence Day programmes.
Priyank Kanoongo said he found many schools locked during a visit on August 15.
Teachers said this did not mean the schools skipped Independence Day.
They explained that many schools held their programmes on August 14.
On August 15, teachers and students often attended larger events at the tehsil or district level.
They also said August 15 is a national holiday for students.
The NHRC has ordered Punjab to check every district and provide proof of what happened.
Punjab officials said the complaint’s allegations were baseless.
The government must send its report within four weeks.
The NHRC ordered Punjab to verify which government schools held Independence Day functions and submit evidence within four weeks.
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said many schools in border district Fazilka were locked on August 15.
Teachers said most schools held ceremonies on August 14 because staff and students attended tehsil or district events on August 15.
A Fazilka teacher said attendance was recorded for teachers and students participating in official Independence Day programmes.
Punjab officials called the allegations baseless, while the state government must now submit an Action Taken Report.
- Who
- The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo, Punjab teachers and officials, and the Punjab government.
- What
- The NHRC ordered a statewide verification of Independence Day celebrations in Punjab government schools.
- When
- The school visits occurred on August 15; the NHRC order was issued on Tuesday, with a report due within four weeks.
- Where
- Punjab, particularly Fazilka district and the border-area village of Dona Nanka.
- Why
- The order followed an NGO complaint alleging that some state-run schools did not hold Independence Day functions.
NHRC and Complaint Allegations
Punjab Teachers and Officials
Whether schools observed Independence Day
NHRC and Complaint Allegations
Priyank Kanoongo said many schools he visited in Fazilka were locked and an NGO alleged non-observance in some government schools, especially in rural and border areas.
Punjab Teachers and Officials
Teachers said government schools did observe Independence Day, with most holding programmes on August 14 and marking the attendance of participants.
Reason for limited August 15 events
NHRC and Complaint Allegations
The NHRC’s concern focused on schools where functions were reportedly not held on August 15.
Punjab Teachers and Officials
Teachers and Fazilka officials said it was practically difficult to hold functions in every school because teachers and students attended tehsil- or district-level celebrations, while August 15 is a national holiday.
Assessment of the allegations
NHRC and Complaint Allegations
The NHRC ordered a statewide fact-finding exercise requiring documentary evidence and explanations.
Punjab Teachers and Officials
Punjab Education Secretary Sonali Giri termed the allegations baseless, and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said Punjab did not need a certificate of patriotism.
- NHRC action
- The commission directed Punjab’s chief secretary to conduct district-wise verification and submit documentary evidence.
- Deadline
- Punjab must submit an Action Taken Report within four weeks.
- NHRC visit
- Priyank Kanoongo visited schools in Fazilka on August 15 and participated in a programme at Government Primary School Dona Nanka.
- Teachers’ explanation
- Teachers said most schools held functions on August 14 because staff and students attended tehsil- or district-level events on August 15.
- Holiday status
- Teachers said August 15 is a national holiday and school attendance at functions is not mandatory.
- Punjab response
- Education Secretary Sonali Giri called the allegations baseless, while Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann rejected the need for a certificate of patriotism.