MP government mandates RSS-linked books in college curriculum; opposition raises objections
The opposition opposed the move and called it an attempt to promote a "divisive ideology".
In a move to promote the heritage and ideologies of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the BJP Madhya Pradesh government has issued a mandate making it compulsory for state colleges to include RSS-linked books in their curriculum. The tactical order has created tension in the political scenario of the state, as the opposition is raising objections over the order of the Higher Education Department, calling it an attempt to promote a “divisive ideology.”
Dr Dhirendra Shukla, a senior official of the Higher Education Department, directed the principals of all government and private colleges across the state through a letter to acquire a set of 88 books. The books mentioned in the list include the work of prominent RSS leaders like Suresh Soni, Dinanath Batra, D Atul Kothari, Devendra Rao Deshmukh, and Sandeep Waslekar, all of whom are associated with Vidya Bharti, the educational wing of the RSS. The department further ordered them to obtain these books without any delay.
This order falls in place with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes adding books based on Indian knowledge traditions in academic curricula. The department also advised the establishment of a ‘Bharatiya Gyan Parampara Prakoshtha’ (Indian Knowledge Tradition Cell) within the premises of each institution to further incorporate all these books in the undergraduate courses.
The reason behind the objection
The decision sparked outrage in the opposition, particularly because 14 out of the 88 books included the work of Dinanath Batra, a former general secretary of Vidya Bharti and a prominent personality in the RSS’s educational projects. Earlier, Batra came to the news after he endorsed the removal of revolutionary Punjabi poet Avtar Pash’s poem ‘Sabse Khatarnaak’ from a Class 11 Hindi textbook.
Congress has criticized the directive they have accused the ruling party, BJP of influencing the students with a “divisive and hateful ideology.” KK Mishra, a congress leader posed certain questions about the legitimacy of the selected authors. He thinks their work is based on particular ideologies and not educational merit.
Mishra questioned, “Will the books of such authors inspire patriotism and sacrifice in educational institutions?” He assured that the directive would be revoked if the Congress comes to power.
Defending the order of the Higher Education Department, BJP State President VD Sharma claimed that the books would have a positive influence on students. “What’s wrong with the saffronisation of education? At least we are not promoting the anti-national ideology that leftist thinkers once imposed on our school and college curricula,” He said.
A similar announcement was made by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Dr Mohan Yadav, in June, where he claimed that the teachings of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna will soon be incorporated into the state’s educational curriculum. CM Yadav has previously served as the Higher Education Minister, and he has always been a strong supporter of the inclusion of Indian cultures and religious ideologies in the education system.
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