DPS Society in Delhi ignores DPS Srinagar

The Delhi Public School (DPS) Srinagar has so far received no help from the DPS Society in New Delhi, as the Society seems to have chosen to ignore the conditions at DPS Srinagar that has been threatened by some extremist organisations with a shutdown, following an altercation with a teacher who insisted on wearing an abaya, a traditional Islamic dress for women, though the school has “prescribed” dress norms.

DPS Srinagar, which had embarked on an “early summer vacation” following the tensions, has not yet decided on any date for its re-opening. Speaking to The Sunday Guardian, a senior official of DPS Srinagar requesting anonymity said, “We have not heard anything from the DPS Society chairman. They have not extended any support to us. They have failed to convey even a word of encouragement to us.”

“They could have easily sent a few teachers from New Delhi and told us to carry on with our classes. We would have accommodated them here so that the students do not lose out. We have 4,500 students and they are our responsibility,” the official said. The senior official added: “Forget DPS Srinagar. In national interest, a school fighting against some extremist elements needs to be supported, irrespective of the school. If  he (chairman) had taken action, it would have made a tremendous impact here.”

V.K. Shunglu, chairman of the DPS Society in New Delhi, did not answer any of the calls or messages from this correspondent for a comment on this story. According to the senior official, other DPS schools in the Kashmir Valley, including DPS Baramullah, Anantnag, Rajouri and Budgam, have also seen sloganeering from time to time.