Haryana: Students Receive Application Forms Asking If Parents Are In ‘Unclean’ Occupation?

New admission form for private schools in Haryana, asking students if their parents are in unclean occupation, has stirred a controversy. In their communication to parents, school authorities stated that all the information were sought by the state education department.

“This is to inform you that we have received the attached format from the Education Department to be filled in by parents of all Haryana schools. Please note that the information being sought is not for school records but for use by the Government of Haryana,” the application form stated.

Students were also asked to give their parent’s Aadhaar number, bank account number, details about siblings, annual income, religion, and caste details and several other details.

“The government had asked us to get parents fill out this form. Some parents have been reluctant to share certain details, such as their income or bank account statements. These are details we would not usually ask for. But we have made it clear that if there are objections, they will have to be taken up with the Government of Haryana. We have just been asked to get them filled,” said Aditi Misra, principal of DPS Sector 45, Gurgaon to The Indian Express.

The form carries Haryana government’s official logo. A state government official spokesperson told News 18 that he was not clear about who has issued the form.

“Asking details of religion and caste is appalling. If parents come from different religions, like Hindu and Sikh marriages are common in the region, what religion will the child mentioned. Moreover, why do they need bank account details of the student?” a parent in Gurugram was quoted by News 18.

“Why do they want so many details? What will they do with the bank account number of a student?” another parent in Panchkula asked.

Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala criticised the BJP-led state government. “Khattar government does it again. Students labelled as ‘untouchables’ & their parent’s occupation as ‘unclean’. The government, taking a cue from NaMo App, issues a 100 pointer student admission form. Since when has Aadhaar become mandatory for school admission?” he tweeted.

BREAKING! Khattar Govt does it again. Students labelled as 'untouchables' & their parents occupation as 'unclean'.

Govt,taking a cue from NaMo App, issues a 100 pointer student admission form.
Since when has Aadhar become mandatory for school admission?https://t.co/1l66WlN4ez pic.twitter.com/1IC9JXTUUS

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) April 10, 2018

Ram Malik, BJP Haryana spokesperson justified the move. “What is wrong in asking for such information? Such details are asked to ascertain whether a student requires medical check-up or special attention. Further, there is no harm in asking details about the caste of the students. With such information, the government can know which community is lacking behind in availing education. It will enable the government to take corrective measures,” he said.