Kerala Minister Slams RSS-Linked Education Event, Warns of Saffronisation Agenda

Kerala’s General Education Minister V. Sivankutty has strongly criticised a recently held RSS-linked education conference in Kochi, calling it an attempt to push a saffronisation agenda in the school system. The event, titled ‘Vidyabharati Rashtriya Shiksha Sammelan’, was attended by several educationists and ideologues associated with the RSS and other Sangh Parivar organisations. The minister

I’m writing about this because education is not just about textbooks and exams—it’s also about values, inclusivity, and neutrality. In a state like Kerala, which has historically prioritised public education, literacy, and secular values, this issue touches a nerve. Any move that could bring political or ideological interference into the classroom needs to be discussed in the open. People often assume such topics are political fights, but at the root of it is a genuine concern about what kind of education we want to give our children. Should education be neutral, fact-based, and open to all viewpoints—or should it carry the flavour of a particular group or ideology? That’s why this warning from the minister matters and deserves attention.

What Exactly Did the Minister Say?

Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty didn’t mince words. He said the RSS-backed event had “no relevance to Kerala’s education system” and called it “completely against constitutional values”. He also warned that attempts to inject ideological bias into school education would be firmly opposed by the state government.

He added that Kerala follows a well-defined curriculum framework through SCERT, based on constitutional values like secularism, democracy, and social justice. Any parallel attempt to promote non-scientific, one-sided views is a direct threat to the secular nature of public education.

What Was the Conference About?

The ‘Rashtriya Shiksha Sammelan’ was organised by Vidya Bharati, an educational wing linked to the RSS. The event claimed to focus on reforms in education, Indian knowledge systems, and moral values in schools. Speakers talked about the need for “Indianising” the curriculum and bringing in ancient Indian knowledge and traditions into classrooms.

While cultural education is not inherently bad, the concern here is about whose version of “Indian knowledge” is being promoted, and whether it includes diverse perspectives or is limited to a particular ideological view. Critics fear that such conferences could open the door to changes in textbooks and classroom discussions that align with the Sangh Parivar’s worldview.

Kerala’s Strong Stand on Secular Education

Kerala has always had one of the most robust public education systems in India, with high literacy rates and consistent investment in government schools. The state’s curriculum is developed through SCERT, ensuring that it remains neutral, inclusive, and focused on scientific temper.

In recent years, the state has also rolled out digital classrooms, improved school infrastructure, and trained teachers in updated pedagogies. This progress could be disrupted if outside influences start trying to interfere in the curriculum-making process.

Why This Issue Goes Beyond Politics

It’s easy to dismiss this as just another political controversy between the Left-led Kerala government and the BJP-led Centre or its affiliates. But it runs deeper. The issue is about keeping education free from any religious, political, or ideological control. Once a school system becomes a tool for pushing one-sided narratives, it stops being educational and starts being indoctrinational.

When children are taught selective history or narrow interpretations of culture, it damages their ability to think freely and understand the diversity of our country. This is a concern not just for Kerala but for education systems all across India.

Education and Employment Can Transform Society: Dinesh Gundu Rao Highlights the Way Forward

During a recent public address in Mangaluru, Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stressed that education and employment are two powerful tools that can shape the future of any society. He pointed out that when people are educated and have meaningful jobs, they can rise above social divisions, poverty, and other long-standing issues. His statement came while addressing students and faculty at a function organised at Srinivas University, where he also touched on the importance of knowledge-driven growth.

I felt the need to write about this because it’s rare to hear such a strong political focus on the link between education, employment and overall societal transformation. We often hear about schemes, budgets and infrastructure, but rarely is the bigger picture discussed—how these two sectors can change the life of a common person. This topic matters to all of us, especially the youth, who are navigating a fast-changing job market while also dealing with rising academic pressure. By writing about this, I hope more people start thinking seriously about how education is not just about degrees, and employment is not just about money—it’s about dignity, stability and progress.

Why Education and Employment Matter Together

Education and employment are often treated as separate issues, but in reality, they go hand-in-hand. Education gives people the ability to think, create and contribute. Employment gives them the opportunity to apply what they know, support their families, and be part of the economy. According to Dinesh Gundu Rao, these two pillars must be developed together if we want a fairer and more productive society.

He stressed that:

Lack of access to education pushes people into poverty.
Unemployment leads to frustration, crime, and brain drain.
A society that fails to create job-ready youth will always remain unequal.

This is why investing in schools, colleges, and job-oriented courses is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral responsibility.

Government’s Role in Creating Equal Opportunities

During the event, Rao mentioned that governments should focus not only on building schools and colleges but also on ensuring the quality of education. He said students from rural areas often struggle because they don’t have the same access to English-medium teaching or computer labs as those in urban areas. This kind of inequality reflects in the job market too, where rural youth get fewer chances.

He also pointed out that:

Many graduates remain unemployed or underemployed because they are not industry-ready.
There is a big gap between what is taught in classrooms and what the job market demands.
Career counselling and vocational training should start at the school level.

According to him, if we want to see real change, we need long-term thinking and serious government commitment—not just one-time policies or election promises.

Importance of Social Harmony for Progress

One of the key messages Rao delivered was about unity. He said education should be a tool to unite people and not divide them. The minister raised concern about how communalism and polarisation are slowly taking attention away from important issues like job creation and educational reform.

He added that:

When youth are unemployed, they are more vulnerable to divisive ideologies.
Education can help people develop critical thinking and tolerance.
A strong education and employment ecosystem reduces dependence on populist politics.

He urged young people to stay informed, ask questions, and focus on real-life issues rather than distractions.