Patna: Controversy over the weekly holiday in some schools in the Seemanchal region of Bihar refuses to die down as JD(U) and BJP leaders locked horns on the issue.
In a fresh turn, senior BJP leader and Union Minister Giriraj Singh and Minister in Nitish cabinet from JD(U) quota Jama Khan on Tuesday exchanged sparks on the issue of weekly closure of some schools in the Seemanchal region.
On one hand, Giriraj Singh took strong exception to the prevailing practice of weekly closure of some schools in the Seemanchal region on Friday and compared it with Shariat law while on the other hand Jama Khan differed with him and described his statement as an attempt to hog the limelight.
Jama Khan clarified that the weekly closure of some schools in the Seemanchal region of Bihar was not a new practice as such an arrangement existed for a long. There was nothing new in it and it was wrong and unjustified on part of Giriraj Singh to compare this practice with Shariat law, he added.
As it is, altogether 300 schools spread over six districts of Bihar including Kishanganj and Katihar remain closed on Friday while teaching works continue on Sunday as part of the normal routine. Political parties have been expressing different views on the issue since the matter came to light after media coverage of the prevalent practice.