New Delhi: The government's decision to drop German as an alternative to Sanskrit as a third language in Kendriya Vidyalayas, has not gone down well with Germany.
Sources say that the German government is extremely disappointed by the decision and that Chancellor Angela Merkel is likely to raise the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow in Australia where the leaders have gathered for the G-20 Summit.
Speaking to NDTV, German Ambassador Michael Steiner said Indian Constitution will not be violated by teaching German. "I am a fervent supporter of Sanskrit, I believe cultural identity is important but look at the globalised reality," Mr Steiner said.
Education Minister Smriti Irani has, however, said the decision was taken in national interest.
Sources say the minister has ordered an investigation into how this was allowed; the 2011 Memorandum of Understanding that made German a third language "violates the national education policy", said officials. The pact was signed between the Kendriya Vidyalayas and Goethe Institute-Max Mueller Bhawan and was allegedly not referred to the ministry though it was signed in the presence of E Ahmed, then the Minister of State for Human Resources Development.
In the three-language formula, schools teach Hindi, English and a modern Indian language - Sanskrit is said to be a popular option in northern states.
Sanskrit teachers had moved the Delhi High Court alleging that the central schools had introduced German as a third language in place of Sanskrit against the education policy.
Sources say that the German government is extremely disappointed by the decision and that Chancellor Angela Merkel is likely to raise the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi tomorrow in Australia where the leaders have gathered for the G-20 Summit.
Speaking to NDTV, German Ambassador Michael Steiner said Indian Constitution will not be violated by teaching German. "I am a fervent supporter of Sanskrit, I believe cultural identity is important but look at the globalised reality," Mr Steiner said.
Education Minister Smriti Irani has, however, said the decision was taken in national interest.
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Sources say the minister has ordered an investigation into how this was allowed; the 2011 Memorandum of Understanding that made German a third language "violates the national education policy", said officials. The pact was signed between the Kendriya Vidyalayas and Goethe Institute-Max Mueller Bhawan and was allegedly not referred to the ministry though it was signed in the presence of E Ahmed, then the Minister of State for Human Resources Development.
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In the three-language formula, schools teach Hindi, English and a modern Indian language - Sanskrit is said to be a popular option in northern states.
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Sanskrit teachers had moved the Delhi High Court alleging that the central schools had introduced German as a third language in place of Sanskrit against the education policy.
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