Bandi Sanjay slams Telangana govt for revising 10th std pre-final exams timings for Ramzan

Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar, on Saturday slammed the Telangana government for revising the time table of 10th class pre-final exams from March 6 and conducting the test between 12.15 PM and 3.15 PM, in view of the holy month of Ramzan, alleging it as "unreasonable".

The state government had in the first week of February issued a directive to concerned education department officials revising the timetable. Prior to that, the exams were proposed to be conducted from 1.15 pm to 4.15 pm between March 6 and March 15.

Further the education department officials were asked to serve the mid-day meal to the 10th class students before 12.15 pm.

Sanjay Kumar in a release demanded that the state government must immediately withdraw the circular and revise the 10th class pre-final exam timetable to ensure that there is no inconvenience to students and teachers.

The union minister, who shared a copy of the circular, questioned why the exam timetable was changed "arbitrarily" and asked if it is "Congress-style equality".

"This (12.15 PM and 3.15 PM) is when students, teachers, and everyone else have their lunch. Conducting exams at this time will cause unnecessary difficulties for students. The government has already exempted Muslims employees from duties after 4 PM during Ramzan. School hours are from 9.15 AM to 4.15 PM. Yet, why are exams being scheduled at odd hours under the pretext of Ramzan, causing hardship to students? Is it fair to trouble all students just to appease one section of society," he asked.

Sanjay Kumar alleged when organisations like 'Tablighi Jamaat', which are banned in foreign countries, hold meetings in Telangana and government funds are being spent on such events.

He asked why are no such exemptions are given to Lord Ayyappa and Hanuman devotees when they undertake special 'deekshas'.

He asserted no special funds are allocated to Hindu festivals. Instead, numerous restrictions are imposed under various regulations. "Is this what Congress calls equality? Does the Congress government consider Hindus so insignificant? Their approach is highly objectionable," he said.

The state government had earlier permitted its Muslim employees to leave offices at 4 PM, ahead by an hour during Ramzan, from March 3 to March 31, except when their presence is required due to exigencies of service.