Bihar govt cycles its way into religious controversy

Patna: For a few little girls in Patna, all the excitement about riding to school on their own bicycles has been washed away. Three months back, the Bihar government had launched the much-hyped Mukhamantri Cycle Yojna.

Under the scheme girls studying till Class 9 in government schools were to be gifted free bicycles. But the state Human Resource Development Ministry poured cold water over their dreams. It gave an order denying free cycles to minority schools.
A student, Rubiya, says, "Mera ek sawal hai jaab sabhi dharma ki ladkiyo ko cycle mill rahi hai to hamare sath ye bhed bhad kyu?" ("When girls of all religions are getting a cycle, then why this discrimination against us?")

A trip to school and back home on a bicycle gifted by the state government is Nitish Kumar government's way of empowering school going girls. But as the majority of the girls enjoy this free ride, those studying in minority institutions are being denied this pleasure.
The fortnight old order has disheartened many.

Another student, Minaz Pravin says, "Jaab Sarkar kahti hai ki sare dharm ek hai, sare bachche ek hai, to alpasankhyak aur bahusankhyaak ko alag kyu kaaar diya?" ("When the government says that all religions are one and are children are one, then why have the minorities been separated from the majority?")

The Principal of a minority school, Mohammad Naqui adds, "Hame bahut bharosa tha. Par niche ke afsar kya kaar rahe hai kuch pata nahi". ("We trusted the government, but we don't know what lower officials are up to.")

Sensing that it might have shot itself in the foot with this order, the HRD Ministry is now considering a hasty rollback.

Bihar HRD Minister, Harinarayan Singh was heard scolding his junior officials on the phone saying, "Ye to mudda ban gaya ki alpasankhyak vidyalaya ko kyun nahi di gayi." ("This has become a huge issue as to why minority schools were not given cycles.")

Such a discriminatory order targeting school children was the last thing expected from a government which is otherwise willing to go that extra mile to please the minority community.