Controversy After Girl Wins School Contest On Topic Of 'Role Model' Nathuram Godse

An officer was suspended in Gujarat for organising a school competition on a controversial elocution topic, reports said Wednesday. The incident from Valsad came to light after local newspapers published reports of a girl winning the contest for speaking on 'My Role Model – Nathuram Godse.'

Godse, a militant nationalist, is recognised as the assassin of freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi. He shot Gandhi dead on January 30, 1948 and was executed a year later. Godse remains a contentious figure in Indian history, however, several reports have noted the resurgence of his figure in the mainstream in connection to right-wing politics.

Here's An Explainer Of What Happened:

1. According to PTI, the competition took place at a private school on February 14 and was open to primary school students between ages 11 and 13 across Valsad. Participants could choose three topics to speak on, one being on Godse, the other two being 'I like only those birds who fly in the sky' and 'I will become a scientist but will not go to the US.'

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2. The woman suspended with regard to the case was identified as Mitaben Gavli, a probationary District Youth Development Officer. Education authorities claimed it was Gavli who selected the topics for the contest and sent letters of participation to primary schools in Valsad.

3. "It appears that you have not taken due care in selecting subjects despite being a responsible government officer. Thus, in the interest of public and administrative interest, you are put under suspension with immediate effect," her suspension order reportedly states.

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4. The school management at Kusum Vidhyalaya issued a clarification that only the premises on which the competition was conducted were theirs and their own students did not participate, reports Indian Express. The topics and judges for the event were all decided by the Valsad district office, management said.

5. Harsh Saghavi, the Minister of State for Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities, took cognisance of the matter, saying a probe has been ordered and that due action will be taken. Certain reports indicate that the award of the student who delivered the winning elocution on Godse was allegedly taken back and another student was named the winner after controversy erupted.