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 accused the organisers of trying to impose a particular ideology on school education under the guise of academic discussion.
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.
