'Political Stunt': PIL Filed In Calcutta HC Against WB Govt's Decision To Introduce Uniform With 'Biswa Bangla' Logo In State-Run Schools

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Calcutta High Court against the decision of the West Bengal government to introduce blue-and-white coloured uniforms for students in all State-run schools which will also feature the 'Biswa Bangla' logo. 

According to a notification dated March 16 issued by the Paschim Banga Samagra Siksha Mission, students of all government, semi-government and government-aided schools in Bengal will have a common uniform in a blue and white colour scheme which will also feature the Bengal government's 'Biswa Bangla' logo. The 'Biswa Bangla' campaign was launched to promote the sale of traditional Bengali handicrafts and textiles and it was adopted as the State logo in January 2018. 

The PIL filed by advocate Rajneel Mukherjee seeks an interim stay of such a notification and furthers avers that encryption of logos in the uniforms of students is a 'political stunt' by the TMC-led government. 

The PIL also questions the basis for introduction of such a uniform by contending that Biswa Bangla is a MSME initiative to promote the handicrafts, textile and clothing work of Bengal and hence the imposition of the Biswa Bangla logo on uniforms of students in government run institutions is unjustified. 

It was also averred in the plea that many schools in West Bengal have their own logos on uniforms of students which is an extension of the legacy and the heritage of such schools. By introduction of the Biswa Bangla logo on uniforms, the State government is seeking to ruin such a legacy, it was contended further. 

The High Court is likely to hear the matter later this week.

All district magistrates have been asked to focus on the "supply of school uniform to students" for which the Department of MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) and Textiles has been roped in. The uniforms will be made by self-help groups under the supervision of the department.

"The Department of MSME and Textiles with the approval of the competent authority issued a specification for manufacturing and supply of school uniform, shoes and bags. The guidelines and specifications are attached for your reference," the notification reads. 

Earlier, the West Bengal government had undertaken a new colour scheme as part of which all government office buildings, including police stations, and public infrastructure were painted blue and white. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) had also announced a property tax rebate for people painting their houses in blue and white.

Case Title: Soumen Halder v. The State Of West Bengal & ors