The Crossbill News Desk
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Madhya Pradesh has directed colleges to incorporate books authored by leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)—the BJP’s parent organization—into their curriculum.
A total of 88 books have been recommended, including works by prominent RSS leaders such as Suresh Soni, Dinanath Batra, D. Atul Kothari, and Devendra Rao Deshmukh. All these authors are affiliated with Vidya Bharti, the RSS's educational wing, The Indian Express reported.
In a letter, Higher Education Department official Dhirendra Shukla instructed the principals of both government and private colleges in Madhya Pradesh to acquire the set of 88 books.
The department has also recommended establishing a ‘Bharatiya Gyan Parampara Prakoshtha’ (Indian Knowledge Tradition Cell) in each college to oversee the integration of these books into various undergraduate courses.
“We are continuously issuing orders to include new books that will be taught in all the colleges of the state, including the PM Excellence colleges. So far, we have recommended around 400 books. It is unfair to say that the books are of RSS leaders only,” Shukla told The Indian Express.
He said that multiple publishers had submitted their catalogues, from which the most suitable books were selected to promote Indian ideology and traditions. “These books were included in accordance with the New Education Policy,” Shukla said.
The directive has been criticised from the Congress party, which argues that only "relevant subjects" should be taught and that colleges should avoid fostering conflicts over "political ideology."
However, the BJP contends that there is nothing objectionable in the books, asserting that they will impart the ideology of "nation building and patriotism."
A total of 88 books have been recommended, including works by prominent RSS leaders such as Suresh Soni, Dinanath Batra, D. Atul Kothari, and Devendra Rao Deshmukh. All these authors are affiliated with Vidya Bharti, the RSS's educational wing, The Indian Express reported.
In a letter, Higher Education Department official Dhirendra Shukla instructed the principals of both government and private colleges in Madhya Pradesh to acquire the set of 88 books.
The department has also recommended establishing a ‘Bharatiya Gyan Parampara Prakoshtha’ (Indian Knowledge Tradition Cell) in each college to oversee the integration of these books into various undergraduate courses.
“We are continuously issuing orders to include new books that will be taught in all the colleges of the state, including the PM Excellence colleges. So far, we have recommended around 400 books. It is unfair to say that the books are of RSS leaders only,” Shukla told The Indian Express.
He said that multiple publishers had submitted their catalogues, from which the most suitable books were selected to promote Indian ideology and traditions. “These books were included in accordance with the New Education Policy,” Shukla said.
The directive has been criticised from the Congress party, which argues that only "relevant subjects" should be taught and that colleges should avoid fostering conflicts over "political ideology."
However, the BJP contends that there is nothing objectionable in the books, asserting that they will impart the ideology of "nation building and patriotism."
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