Sri Ganganagar warns schools against ‘forcing’ Santa costumes on students

The Rajasthan education department has barred schools in Sri Ganganagar from forcing children to dress up as Santa Claus on Christmas Day, warning of strict legal action if complaints are received.

In an order issued on December 22, Sri Ganganagar Additional District Education Officer Ashok Wadhwa cautioned private schools against compelling students or parents to participate in Christmas-themed activities, particularly the use of Santa Claus costumes.

The directive follows a representation submitted by the Bharat Tibet Sahayog Manch to the District Education Officer (Headquarters), Secondary, Sri Ganganagar. The organisation alleged that for several years, schools in the district had been making children dress up as Santa Claus despite the region being predominantly Sanatana — Hindu and Sikh — by population.

The order notes that Christian families are “almost non-existent” in the district and states that organising such programmes and placing “unnecessary pressure” on children is not always justified in this context.

“If information is received about pressure on children to become Santa Claus on Christmas Day in any school, the department will take action as per rules,” the order says.

All private school principals and managements have been formally directed not to coerce parents or students into participating in Santa-related activities. The order further warns that any complaint from a parent or organisation will make the institution directly accountable for subsequent action.

The directive comes days after Sri Ganganagar police detained six people, including a German couple, near India’s international border on allegations related to religious conversion, heightening sensitivity around religious activities in the district.