Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), May 16: Madhya Pradesh government has announced that from now onwards, it is mandatory for the school students in the state to answer their roll-call with "Jai Hind". This step is meant to instil a sense of pride and patriotism among the students, according to an official statement released by the education department.

According to the report, Madhya Pradesh School Education Minister Vijay Shah said in 2017, that students would answer to roll-calls by saying-"Jai Hind" instead of "yes sir" and "yes ma'am". He had said that the step would be enforced in all 1.22 lakh government schools, and an advisory in this regard would also be issued to all private schools.

According to reports, the idea was first introduced on an experimental basis in Satna district in October last year.

BJP spokesperson Rahul Kothari is in high praise for the initiative. However, Congress leader KK Mishra has criticised the government's move and has been quoted as saying, "We cannot force patriotism. There is no need to make it compulsory; the government should first think about the quality of education, lack of teachers in Government schools." Earlier the government had also instructed hoisting the flag and singing national anthem daily in schools.

(With inputs from ANI)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 16, 2018 11:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).