The Madhya Pradesh government has issued a controversial directive mandating that colleges across the state incorporate 88 books authored by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders into their academic programs.
This order, dispatched by the Higher Education Department, has sparked a fierce political debate. Critics, notably from the opposition Congress, accuse the BJP-led state government of pushing a divisive ideology, while the state administration argues that the directive corrects previous educational imbalances.
Dr Dhirendra Shukla, a senior official at the Higher Education Department, instructed colleges to procure these books without delay. The list includes works by prominent RSS figures such as Suresh Soni, Dinanath Batra, and D Atul Kothari, all linked to Vidya Bharti, the RSS's educational arm. This directive aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates integrating Indian knowledge traditions into curricula.
The inclusion of 14 books by Dinanath Batra, a notable RSS educator known for his controversial stance on certain educational materials, has heightened scrutiny. Congress leader KK Mishra has condemned the move, questioning whether these texts contribute to educational merit or merely serve ideological purposes. Mishra has pledged to overturn the directive should the Congress come to power.
In defence, BJP State President VD Sharma hailed the directive as a step towards enriching students' knowledge and personality. He contrasted it with what he described as the previously imposed anti-national content in education, asserting that the new curriculum better reflects Indian cultural values. This decision follows a June statement by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, who proposed incorporating the teachings of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna into the state's educational framework.
