J&K minister lashes out at Indian Army chief; says Bipin Rawat should do his job, we know how to run schools

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday lashed out at the Indian Army chief Bipin Rawat over his comments on Kashmir school students in the state being taught about two maps — India and other J&K.

Altaf Bukhari, Jammu and Kashmir Education Minister, said, “Chief of the ARMY Staff (COAS) is not an educationist . The state government knows how to run schools.”

The education minister further added, “The Indian Army chief is a well-decorated officer in the country. I have no doubts on his professionalism. He should not give sermons on issues that are not his domain.”

The education minister further said that all schools across the country teach students about India and the state they live in.

“Every state has its own constitution. Every school in every state has two maps. You need to teach students about the country and the state as well,” added Bukhari.

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The education minister further said, “Separatism would not be anywhere if the army does its job properly.  I will be very happy if they do what they are supposed to do.”

Bukhari’s retort was in response to Army Chief’s statement that schools in Jammu and Kashmir were teaching two maps — India’s and Jammu and Kashmir’s — to the students, which he said was radicalising youth.

Rawat had made the two map comment while addressing the media on the eve of Army Day on Friday. He had then said, “Why do we need a separate map for Jammu and Kashmir. What does it teach the children? Two map is radicalising the youths.”