BJP Slams Himachal Govt For Asking 30% Of Income From Magic Shows In Schools: ‘Place Donation Box…’

Last Updated:March 13, 2025, 10:29 IST

The BJP criticized the Himachal Pradesh government for asking 30% of income from school magic shows for the CM's relief fund. The education department retracted the order after backlash.

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (PTI File Photo)

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed the Himachal Pradesh government for asking 30% of income earned from magic shows in schools for donation in chief minister’s relief fund and later retracting the order.

BJP leader Randhir Sharma said, “The situation is so dire that the Himachal government is taking money from temples and diverting funds from central schemes just to keep running. Now, it has even issued a notification to organize magic shows in schools to collect money for the CM’s relief fund."

“If the situation is this pathetic, the government might as well place a donation box outside the state secretariat so people can contribute," he added.

The state education department retracted the letter on Wednesday that had been criticised for requesting 30% of the income from magic shows held in schools to be donated to the chief minister’s relief fund or disaster management assistance.

Education Minister Rohit Thakur explained that the letter, issued by the deputy director of elementary education in Hamirpur district on March 11, was withdrawn, and an explanation was sought. The letter had approved magic shows in schools but conditioned that 30% of the proceeds be allocated to the chief minister’s relief fund or disaster management assistance.

Furthermore, the shows were to raise awareness about the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" campaign and fight against superstition. As the letter spread on social media, the opposition BJP criticized the government, accusing it of being so financially strained that it was resorting to collecting funds from temples and schools.

News politics BJP Slams Himachal Govt For Asking 30% Of Income From Magic Shows In Schools: ‘Place Donation Box…’