Modi government pushing RSS agenda in education: Congress

Ahmedabad: The Congress on Sunday alleged the country's education sector has been severely hit due to the influence of RSS and subsequent exit of many educationalists from top institutes since BJP came to power at the Centre.

Former Union minister Girija Vyas said the HRD Ministry has systematically inducted RSS functionaries into several institutions and had taken many policy level decisions as per diktats of RSS.

The Congress leader was speaking here on her party's take on education during the one-year tenure of BJP-led NDA government.

"Instead of strengthening the education sector, HRD Minister Smriti Irani has put all her efforts to destroy reputed institutions, insult educationalists and appoint unqualified RSS functionaries on high positions," Vyas said.

She cited example of recent exit of noted nuclear scientist Dr Anil Kakodkar, who resigned as the chairman of IIT-Bombay's Board of Governors and few others.

"Instead of talking to Kakodkar, the government accepted his resignation. Similarly, director of IIT-Delhi Raghunath K Shevgaonkar too tendered his resignation in protest to the way in which HRD ministry wanted to control the institution," she said.

Vyas alleged that the Modi government was busy appointing functionaries of RSS, the ideological mentor of BJP, at top posts in premier institutes, like appointment of former editor of RSS mouthpiece 'Panchjanya', Baldev Sharma, as Chairman of National Book Trust.

"Others include RSS worker Inder Mohan Kapahi, who has been appointed as one of the members in the UGC. Similarly, RSS leader Y Sudershan Rao has been appointed as the chairman of Indian Council for Historical Research," she said.

Vyas questioned the formation of Bhartiya Shiksha Niti Ayog (BSNA) by HRD ministry recently.

The senior leader also sought to know Irani's education qualifications.

She accused the Modi government of curtailing budget for education sector.

"First time ever, this government has cut down the budget for education to the tune of Rs 14,088 crore," she said.