FILE photo: Education minister Smriti Irani
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS would like six per cent of the country's GDP to be focused on education and wants a panel for education to be set up on the lines of the Election Commission.
These are some of the changes that the ruling BJP's ideological mentor wants in the education system, being discussed today at a meeting in Delhi's Vasant Kunj, presided over by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and attended by top union ministers.
Other suggestions include imparting primary education in local languages, incorporating ancient Indian science and Vedic math in syllabus, and promoting Sanskrit and other Indian languages.
The three-day meeting has drawn strong criticism from opposition parties, who have questioned ministers making presentations on policy to the RSS and its affiliates behind closed doors.
Yesterday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj made presentations to small groups of Sangh members and fielded questions. Among those making presentations today is education minister Smriti Irani.
The opposition accuses the RSS of interfering in the government's education policy by attempting to influence curriculum and the government's running of institutions.
"The RSS-BJP meet has a clear message that remote control has turn into overt control. The actual boss is Mohan Bhagwat... This government is a puppet in the hands of the RSS," said the Congress' Manish Tewari.
"All national and economic issues are on the agenda," BJP general secretary Ram Madhav had said yesterday.
The latest religious census, which indicated a decline in the Hindu population below the 80-crore mark and a marginal increase in Muslim population, is also expected to be discussed today and Home Minister Rajnath Singh could make a presentation on national security.
Prime Minster Narendra Modi is expected to attend the meeting tomorrow.
The meeting is aimed at better coordination between what is called the Sangh Parivar and the BJP government. The RSS has asked its affiliates for their feedback, which the ministers are expected to refer to while tweaking policy.