The Madhya Pradesh government’s recent directive to incorporate books authored by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionaries into the college curriculum has sparked a firestorm of controversy. Under the guise of promoting Bharatiya Gyan Parampara (Indian knowledge systems), this initiative is being criticized as a blatant attempt to indoctrinate students with divisive ideologies and sow seeds of hatred in young minds. This move, critics argue, is a dangerous deviation from the principles of education, which should foster critical thinking and inclusivity rather than political dogma.
A Dubious Educational Reform
The state’s Higher Education Department has instructed both government-aided and private colleges to purchase books from a list of 88 titles that are heavily influenced by RSS ideologues. This directive also mandates the establishment of a Bharatiya Gyan Parampara Prakoshth—a dedicated cell tasked with promoting these traditional Indian knowledge systems. However, a closer look at the authors of these books reveals a worrying trend: many are written by prominent RSS figures known for their controversial views and divisive rhetoric.
RSS Authors in the Curriculum: An Alarming Choice
The list of books includes works by:
- Suresh Soni: Former RSS joint-general secretary, who has authored three of the selected titles.
- Dinanath Batra: A key figure in RSS’s educational wing, Vidya Bharti, and a proponent of revising Indian history to fit a particular narrative. Batra is responsible for 14 of the books on the list, and his influence on education has been a subject of concern for years.
- Dr. Atul Kothari: Another prominent RSS figure, whose inclusion in this list underscores the political motives behind this educational reform.
The inclusion of these authors is not merely an academic decision; it is a calculated effort to infuse the education system with a narrow and exclusionary worldview, one that aligns with the RSS’s vision of a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation).
The Legacy of Dinanath Batra: A History of Controversy
Dinanath Batra’s inclusion in the curriculum is particularly troubling. Batra is infamous for his role in pushing for the removal of Avtar Pash’s poem Sabse Khatarnaak from Class XI Hindi textbooks—a move that was widely condemned as an attempt to stifle dissenting voices. Batra’s books have also been included in Gujarat’s curriculum, where they have been criticized for promoting a sanitized and distorted version of history that glorifies a particular ideology while erasing others.
By promoting Batra’s works, the Madhya Pradesh government is not just endorsing a particular interpretation of history; it is actively encouraging the spread of a divisive ideology that undermines the secular fabric of India.
A Political Agenda Disguised as Education Reform
The Congress party and other opposition voices have rightly condemned this move as an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to poison the minds of students with hate and divisive ideologies. This initiative is seen as part of a larger strategy by the BJP to use educational institutions as platforms for political indoctrination. Rather than encouraging students to think critically and independently, the Madhya Pradesh government is pushing a curriculum that promotes a single, narrow worldview—one that is deeply rooted in the RSS’s ideology.
The introduction of these books is not just about promoting Indian knowledge systems; it is about shaping the minds of future generations to align with a particular political agenda. This is a dangerous precedent that threatens to erode the diversity and pluralism that are the hallmarks of Indian society.
Undermining the True Purpose of Education
Education is meant to broaden minds, encourage critical thinking, and foster a spirit of inquiry. However, the Madhya Pradesh government’s decision to promote RSS-inspired books does the exact opposite. By forcing students to engage with content that is heavily skewed towards a particular ideology, the government is undermining the very purpose of education.
Instead of nurturing young minds to be inclusive, tolerant, and open to diverse perspectives, this move risks creating a generation of students who are narrow-minded, intolerant, and prone to divisive thinking. This is not just an educational failure; it is a social and moral failure that could have far-reaching consequences for the future of India.
Conclusion
The Madhya Pradesh government’s push to include RSS-inspired books in the college curriculum is a disturbing development that must be challenged. This is not about promoting Indian knowledge systems; it is about promoting a divisive political agenda that seeks to reshape the minds of young Indians. The education system should be a place where students are encouraged to think critically and explore diverse perspectives, not a tool for political indoctrination. It is imperative that we resist this dangerous trend and demand an education system that truly reflects the pluralistic and inclusive spirit of India.