The Madhya Pradesh government has mandated the inclusion of books authored by leaders of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the curricula of colleges across the state. This directive, issued by the Higher Education Department, has ignited a heated political debate, with opposition parties condemning the move as an effort to propagate a divisive ideology, while the BJP-led state government defends it as a corrective measure against previously promoted anti-national ideologies.
The directive, communicated through a letter from Dr. Dhirendra Shukla, a senior official in the Higher Education Department, instructs all government and private colleges to integrate a set of 88 books into their academic programs. These books include works by prominent RSS figures such as Suresh Soni, Dinanath Batra, D Atul Kothari, Devendra Rao Deshmukh, and Sandeep Waslekar, who are linked with Vidya Bharti, the RSS’s educational wing.
In accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which supports the incorporation of Indian knowledge traditions into educational curricula, the Higher Education 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.
The inclusion of 14 books authored by Dinanath Batra, a notable RSS figure and former general secretary of Vidya Bharti, has particularly stirred controversy. Batra, known for his advocacy of removing certain literary works from school textbooks, has been criticized by opposition figures for promoting a narrow ideological perspective.
Congress leaders have strongly opposed the directive, accusing the BJP government of attempting to indoctrinate students with a “divisive and hateful ideology.” Congress leader KK Mishra questioned the educational value of the selected authors, suggesting that their works are more ideological than educational. Mishra has promised that the order would be reversed if the Congress party assumes power.
In defense, BJP State President VD Sharma argued that the inclusion of these books would enhance students’ knowledge and personal development. He asserted that the initiative represents a positive shift away from what he describes as the “anti-national ideology” previously endorsed by leftist thinkers.
This directive follows statements made in June by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, who had expressed intentions to integrate teachings of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna into the state’s educational curriculum. Yadav, who was the Higher Education Minister in the prior BJP administration, has been a staunch advocate for embedding Indian cultural and religious values within the education system.
