LUCKNOW, June 13 -- A block education officer (BEO) in Unnao courted controversy after directing teachers and headmasters to mandatorily attend a 'Ratri Chaupal' organised to mark 12 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. Following protests from teachers, the basic education department cancelled the order and snubbed the officer for exceeding his brief, officials said. Citing a June 9 letter from the district magistrate's office, Unnao, BEO Sudesh Kumar instructed staff of primary schools in Gangakheda, Hardi and Vasudevkheda under Hilauli block to participate in the 'Ratri Chaupal' at Gram Sabha Rani Jaydei Kheda (Hardi) on June 11. The programme aimed to disseminate information on Central and state government policies and achievements of ongoing schemes, review their implementation and address public grievances. It was to be held in the presence of Purwa MLA Anil Singh and district secretary Sandeep Shukla. Kumar directed all working staff, including headmasters and teachers-in-charge of council schools in the gram sabha, to attend the event compulsorily. The letter triggered resentment among teachers, who said they were already burdened with Census 2027 and election-related duties. However, as the controversy escalated, the basic education department immediately withdrew the order and pulled up the officer for exceeding his brief, a senior official said. In a similar episode last month, a block education officer of Nawabganj area in Bareilly district was removed from his primary duty and attached to the education department's district office after his directive asking teachers to arrange chaff for stray cattle had triggered widespread anger....