Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi raised concerns on Monday, warning that the country would be “destroyed” if the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) gains full control over India’s education system.
Speaking at a protest organized by student organizations affiliated with the INDIA bloc at Jantar Mantar, Gandhi said that while there may be ideological differences within the bloc, they would never compromise on the education system. “One organization wants to destroy the future and the education system of the country. The name of that organization is the RSS,” he stated. He further criticized the ongoing shift of control in education, saying, “If the education system goes into their hands, this country will be destroyed. No one will get jobs, and the country will be finished.”
Gandhi also alleged that RSS influence was growing in universities, pointing out that vice chancellors (VCs) in Indian universities were increasingly dominated by the RSS. “In the coming time, state universities’ VCs will be appointed on the recommendation of the RSS. We have to stop this,” he said.
He continued his critique of the government, recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s remarks on the Maha Kumbh in Parliament. Gandhi argued that Modi should have instead addressed pressing issues like unemployment, inflation, and the state of the education system. “The prime minister does not speak a word about unemployment, inflation, and the education system. Their model is to hand over all resources to Adani and Ambani and hand over institutions to the RSS,” he said.
Gandhi also referred to a previous protest against the University Grants Commission (UGC) draft regulations, accusing the UGC of pushing the RSS’s agenda to impose a singular national identity. He concluded by expressing solidarity with students, saying, “We will fight this fight together and push back the RSS.”
