Haryana govt asks school kids caste, parents unclean job, Aadhaar

Chandigarh, April 10: BJP-ruled Haryana's Education Department has stirred a controversy by asking students in private schools to furnish personal and family data, including religion, caste, bank account number and Aadhaar details as well as if their parents "(are) engaged in (an) unclean occupation".

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala hit out at the Manohar Lal Khattar government on the issue.

"Khattar government does it again. Students labelled as 'untouchables' & their parents 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?" Surjewala tweeted.

Inquiries reveal that the forms have been distributed across Haryana. Private school authorities, in their communication to parents, have made it clear that the information was being sought by the state Education Department and not by the school.

State government officials feigned ignorance about the form, which carries the Haryana government's official logo.