The Rajasthan government on Sunday withdrew an order directing schools to observe December 6, the anniversary of the demolition of the Babri Masjid, as “Shaurya Diwas”, PTI reported.

The order, circulated late on Saturday on an official WhatsApp group, had instructed government and private schools to hold activities to promote “patriotism, nationalism, bravery, cultural pride and national unity” to mark the occasion, The Indian Express reported.

The Babri Masjid was demolished by Hindutva extremists on December 6, 1992, because they believed that it stood on the spot where the Hindu deity Ram was born. The incident had triggered communal riots across the country.

In November 2019, the Supreme Court held that the demolition of the Babri mosque was illegal, but handed over the land to a trust for a Ram temple to be constructed. At the same time, it directed that a five-acre plot in Ayodhya be allotted to Muslims for a mosque to be constructed.

The Ram temple was inaugurated in Ayodhya in a ceremony led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2024.

On Sunday morning, Education and Panchayati Raj Minister Madan Dilawar recalled the order citing scheduled school examinations, The Indian Express reported.

“All schools in the state are currently conducting examinations, which will be held from December 5 and 6,” the newspaper quoted Dilawar as saying. “Therefore, it is not possible to conduct any other activities or events in schools during the examination period. Therefore, the ‘Shaurya Diwas’ celebrations are postponed.”

However, Director of Secondary Education Sitaram Jat told PTI that no such instructions had formally been issued to schools and that he did not know how the circular had been disseminated.

The withdrawn order, issued following instructions, had proposed a full-day programme for December 6.

Schools were asked to conduct essay and speech competitions on themes such as “Indian culture and the Ram temple movement, as well as painting and poster-making activities themed on the Ayodhya Ram temple”, The Indian Express reported.

The circular also proposed patriotic song performances, folk dances, short plays, group surya namaskar sessions, yoga practice and a special assembly beginning with hymns and aarti dedicated to the deity Ram, the newspaper reported.

Schools were also encouraged to host “Shaurya Yatras” within their premises and invite military personnel, social workers and history enthusiasts to address students.