Coimbatore: Inquiry Ordered Over Presence of Schoolchildren at PM Modi's Roadshow

New Delhi: Coimbatore district education officer has ordered an inquiry over the participation of schoolchildren in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow in Coimbatore on Monday, March 18.

Modi undertook a four-kilometre-long roadshow between Ganga Hospital on Mettupalayam Road and the Head Post Office in RS Puram. Children under 14 from government-aided Sri Sai Baba Vidyalayam Aided Middle School were seen donning saffron-coloured cloth strips bearing party symbols, at various locations throughout the roadshow, performing on stages arranged by workers of the BJP. The participation of children in political rallies is against the directives of the Election Commission of India.

Authorities ordered school management to initiate strict action against the headmaster and staff, and also to submit a detailed report of the incident.

"We have taken cognisance of the issue and the ARO has sought reports from the respective departments. Suitable action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry," said Coimbatore district collector in an X (Twitter) post.

Separate inquiries have also been initiated by the joint commissioner of the labour department and the chief education officer.

The chief education officer M. Balamurali told The Hindu, "We have initiated an investigation. Prior to the event, all schools were explicitly instructed to abstain from such practices."

Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) P. Suresh, spoke to the newspaper, confirming that these practices violate the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). “Once the inquiry is concluded, reports will be forwarded to the Election Commission for further action,” he said.

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