Politics · India Bureau
Opposition questions NCERT textbook panel over RSS-linked members
Indian opposition parties have raised concerns about the composition of a national curriculum committee preparing new political science textbooks, citing the presence of individuals with links to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and affiliated organizations.
LSN India ·
Opposition lawmakers have challenged the government's selection of members for the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) panel responsible for developing revised political science textbooks for senior secondary classes. The controversy centers on the inclusion of individuals reportedly connected to the Sangh Parivar, the broader ecosystem of organizations associated with the RSS.
According to opposition representatives, several members of the committee tasked with preparing new curricula for Classes 11 and 12 have documented affiliations with the RSS and its allied bodies. Critics argue that such appointments could potentially influence the ideological slant of educational materials designed for impressionable students across the country.
The development comes amid ongoing debates over curriculum content and textbook preparation in Indian schools. Educational policy decisions, particularly regarding political science curricula, have frequently become flashpoints between the ruling government and opposition parties, with each side accusing the other of attempting to shape classroom narratives.
The NCERT has not yet issued a formal response to the opposition's allegations. The timing of these concerns coincides with broader discussions about educational autonomy and the role of various ideological perspectives in shaping India's national curriculum.