Punjab Schools Told to Film Mothers' Videos for CM at Mega PTM; Opposition Cries Publicityਮੈਗਾ ਪੀਟੀਐੱਮ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਾਵਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਵੀਡੀਓ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮ 'ਤੇ ਵਿਵਾਦ; ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਧਿਰ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਪ੍ਰਚਾਰ

A directive asking Punjab's government schools to record video testimonials from mothers during Friday's statewide Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting has become a political row, with Congress, the Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP accusing the AAP government of using classrooms for publicity, and teachers' unions voicing discomfort.

What did the circular ask schools to do?

According to reports on the circular from the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), schools were asked to approach parents, particularly mothers, and record answers to three questions: what the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana means to them, how they are using the money, and whether they have a message for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The videos were to go on school social media pages and parents' WhatsApp groups, with a quota of 10 clips per school reported.

What does the opposition say?

Punjab Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot called it a publicity gimmick. Akali Dal spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler said AAP was using schools for its promotion. BJP leaders said parent-teacher meetings should review academic progress, not praise government schemes.

What did teachers and parents say?

A Lecturer Cadre Union leader in Ludhiana said teachers were told to record videos even though several parents were reluctant. At Ramgarh Bouran village in Nabha, a group of rural women protested outside a school after they were not allowed to record a message for the chief minister; they instead filmed their own, raising concerns about drugs, petty crime and the lack of MGNREGA work.

How has the government responded?

The Punjab health minister, speaking in Patiala, denied that the government had issued any notice directing schools to record videos of parents. He accused the opposition of deliberately raising the issue and said mass communication was being used to inform people about welfare schemes.

What is the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana?

It is a monthly cash-transfer scheme for women: Rs 1,500 for Scheduled Caste women and Rs 1,000 for women in general and other categories, as described in reports.

What was the Mega PTM?

It was a statewide parent-teacher meeting held on Friday, October 9, across about 19,200 government schools.

Did the government order videos of mothers at the Mega PTM?

Opposition parties and unions cite an SCERT circular asking for them; the health minister says no notice directed schools to record parents.

Why are opposition parties objecting?

They say the meetings should focus on students' learning and that teachers are being used for political publicity ahead of elections.