Books by RSS-linked authors in MP college syllabi spark row | India News – Times of India

BHOPAL: BJP govt in Madhya Pradesh has made it mandatory for colleges to incorporate books written by RSS-linked authors in syllabi to acquaint students with ‘Bharatiya Gyan Parampara‘ (Indian knowledge tradition). Congress has criticized the move, calling it divisive.
A list of 88 books that colleges have been ordered to procure include those by RSS former co-general secretary Suresh Soni, former general secretary of Vidya Bharti Dinanath Batra, and former ABVP general secretary Dr Atul Kothari.Compilations from RSS education wing Vidya Bharti are also included.
RSS-linked authors account for over 30% of the 88 books. With 14 books, Batra has the biggest presence on the list, followed by 10 by Kothari, who is also national secretary of Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas (an RSS-affiliated organisation), and three by Soni. The list includes a book on personality development by Swami Vivekananda and several on Vedic mathematics.
The content in the books is not known. Govt officials refused to come on record on this. An RSS representative, who refused to be named or give an official version, argued that colleges will only be told to procure these books. “They will be available in the library, like any other book. If books written by Romila Thapar can be in a library, so will those written by RSS authors.”
MP govt’s initiative aligns with objectives of National Education Policy-2020, say govt officials. It follows from an announcement made last year by the then higher education minister Mohan Yadav, now Madhya Pradesh CM, on including teachings from Lord Ram and Krishna in the state’s educational curriculum. To facilitate this initiative, ‘Indian Knowledge Tradition Cells’ have been established in colleges across MP. Students are required to purchase and study the prescribed books through these cells.
State BJP chief VD Sharma said, “It is a good step as students will come to know about our culture. If anyone calls it saffronisation, they may do so. It is being done for welfare of students. It does not matter whether the books are written by RSS members or anyone else.”
Higher education department has already ordered principals of all govt colleges, aided non-govt colleges, and private colleges, to set up dedicated ‘Bharatiya Gyan Parampara Prakoshtha’ – cells to introduce students to Indian knowledge traditions through undergraduate courses.
Opposition Congress has criticised govt’s decision, alleging that it is an attempt by BJP to “indoctrinate students with divisive and hateful ideology”. Congress spokesperson KK Mishra said, “We vehemently oppose this move. We will change the decision once we form govt.”