'We could do it too', says Yogi Adityanath's UP government after Gujarat makes 'Jai Hind' a mandatory school attendance response

The Uttar Pradesh government has backed the Gujarat Government's decision to make it compulsory for students to say 'Jai Hind' instead of 'Yes Ma'am/Sir' and 'Present'.

Education minister and deputy CM of Uttar Pradesh Dinesh Sharma has said that he supported the Gujarat government's decision. 

"As of now, UP education department doesn't have this proposal, if in future it will come then we will discuss it. Personally, I support Gujarat government move. I always say Jai Hind in morning and evening," he said.

Marking attendance in Gujarat state board schools will soon be devoid of the usual 'Yes Ma'am/Sir' and 'Present' that have long entailed a daily ritual. Instead, in an effort to 'instill nationalism' in students, they will reply 'Jai Hind' or 'Jai Bharat'.

A notification to this effect, written in Gujarati, has been sent out by the Directorate of Primary Education and the Gujarat secondary and higher secondary board. The notification indicates that the decision was taken by the state's education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama during a review meeting on Monday.

In accordance with the new rule, education officers in the state have been told to ensure compliance starting January 1, 2019. 

READ: Now, 'Jai Hind' And 'Jai Bharat' Instead Of 'Present' To Mark Attendance In Gujarat Schools

BJP and Congress leaders have expressed divergent views on the Gujarat government's move to swap the traditional 'Yes Ma'am/Sir' with 'Jai Hind/Jai Bharat' when it comes to marking attendance in schools in the state.

Most vocal in the matter has been Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit who has accused the BJP of 'Dhongi Rashtravaad' (roughly - sham patriotism), alleging that the decision has a background in the BJP (and its forerunners) not participating in the freedom movement: 

Dikshit said, "Attendance is a formality to determine whether one is present in class. When names are taken, they respond. There's no problem with 'Jai Hind' and 'Jai Bharat' but to keep imposing it shows that the government doesn't believe people are patriotic. And I think this Gujarat government itself is being run by a party that isn't patriotic. They never accepted the national flag and the national song. They were always apologetic to the British raj. This is dhongi rashtrabhakti."

READ: 'Dhongi Rashtrabhakti', 'kiddish' And 'laughing Stock' Is How The Opposition Has Described Gujarat Government's 'Jai Hind' Attendance Policy. Read Here