Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak attacked SP chief Akhilesh Yadav. He sparked controversy by calling 'PDA Pathshala' 'A for Al-Qaeda'. The SP retaliated, saying that education should be kept separate from politics.
UP News: The political debate that started over the merger of schools in Uttar Pradesh has now turned into a bitter verbal battle. Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak has targeted Akhilesh Yadav over the Samajwadi Party's 'PDA Pathshala', calling it a 'school of A for Al-Qaeda'. Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav has questioned the BJP government's thinking regarding the education system and said that the BJP is looking at education like a profit and loss venture.
Political turmoil over PDA Pathshala
Recently, the Samajwadi Party launched a campaign called 'PDA Pathshala' against the state government's decision to merge schools. In this, SP workers are seen teaching alphabets to young children with words like 'A for Akhilesh' and 'D for Dimple'. After its video surfaced, the BJP has objected to it.
Brajesh Pathak's Retort
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak gave a sharp reaction regarding PDA Pathshala. He said that the SP is dragging children into politics. Pathak said, "Akhilesh Yadav has no information. He is filling wrong ideas in the minds of children. During the SP government, cases of terrorists and rioters were withdrawn. Now they are running a 'school of A for Al-Qaeda'."
Pathak alleges that the Samajwadi Party is playing with the future of children in the name of education and making them a tool of politics. He also said that law and order is b in the Yogi government and continuous efforts are being made to improve the level of education.
What is the dispute over school mergers?
The Uttar Pradesh government has recently decided to merge government schools in the state based on the number of students. The government argues that this will improve the teacher-student ratio and enable better use of resources. However, the opposition says that this step will weaken education, especially in rural and backward areas.
Akhilesh Yadav's Reply
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav questioned the intention of the state government by posting on social media. He said, "The deficiency is not of funds, but of thinking. It is wrong to weigh education on the scales of profit and loss. If the Chief Minister reduces the expenditure on self-promotion, there can be sufficient budget for the education of children."
Akhilesh further said that the SP government has always given priority to education and 'PDA Pathshala' is a symbolic step for the right of children to education. He said, "Whenever the BJP government closes schools, PDA Pathshala will become a shield for the education of children."
