Archive · 19 Aug 2026
NHRC Seeks Punjab Report on School Independence Day Celebrations
The NHRC is checking a complaint about Independence Day celebrations in some Punjab government schools.
The complaint says some rural, remote and border schools may not have held all the usual activities.
These activities include raising the national flag, singing the National Anthem and involving students.
The NHRC wants to know whether children in those schools had the same chance to participate as children elsewhere.
Punjab officials say the celebrations were held across the state.
They said some schools may have celebrated on August 14 because August 15 was a holiday for students.
The Punjab government must provide school-by-school information and evidence.
It must also explain why any school did not hold the required activities.
The NHRC has given the chief secretary four weeks to respond.
The NHRC has sought a detailed report on alleged non-observance of Independence Day in Punjab government schools, especially in rural, remote and border areas.
The complaint alleges that some schools did not conduct flag hoisting, National Anthem singing or meaningful student participation on August 15.
Punjab officials denied the allegations, saying Independence Day was observed across the state and that some schools may have celebrated on August 14.
The Punjab chief secretary must submit school-level details, documentary evidence and explanations for any missing or curtailed activities within four weeks.
The NHRC also sought information from the Union Ministry of Education and asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to examine the matter.
- Who
- The National Human Rights Commission of India, its Bench led by Priyank Kanoongo, the Punjab Government and Punjab education officials.
- What
- The NHRC is seeking a report on alleged gaps in Independence Day observances in Punjab government schools; Punjab officials deny the allegations.
- When
- The observance concerned August 15, and the Punjab chief secretary has four weeks to submit the report.
- Where
- Government schools across Punjab, with particular attention to rural, remote and border areas.
- Why
- To determine whether prescribed activities occurred and whether children in geographically disadvantaged areas received equal educational, cultural and civic opportunities.
NHRC Complaint and Inquiry
Punjab Government Response
Whether celebrations were held
NHRC Complaint and Inquiry
The complaint alleges that Independence Day was not properly observed in some Punjab government schools, especially those in rural, remote and border areas.
Punjab Government Response
Punjab officials said Independence Day was duly observed across all schools in the state and called the allegations baseless or incorrect.
Timing of school events
NHRC Complaint and Inquiry
The NHRC is seeking confirmation of which schools conducted the prescribed activities on August 15.
Punjab Government Response
Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said August 15 was a national holiday for students and that some schools may have held celebrations on August 14.
Equal student participation
NHRC Complaint and Inquiry
The NHRC is examining whether children in remote and border schools received a substantially different educational and civic experience from children in urban schools.
Punjab Government Response
Punjab Education Secretary Sonali Giri said the department has photographs showing that Independence Day was celebrated across the state.
- Investigating authority
- National Human Rights Commission of India Bench led by Priyank Kanoongo
- Allegation
- Independence Day was not properly observed in some Punjab government schools, particularly in rural, remote and border areas
- Activities under review
- Flag hoisting, National Anthem singing and student participation
- Punjab’s response
- Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and Education Secretary Sonali Giri said the celebrations were held across the state; Bains said some schools may have celebrated on August 14
- Information requested
- Total government schools, schools observing Independence Day on August 15, schools conducting specified activities and student participation figures
- Deadline
- Four weeks for the Punjab chief secretary to submit a detailed Action Taken/Compliance Report
- Other authorities
- The Union Ministry of Education was asked for information, while the Ministry of Home Affairs was asked to examine the matter
