Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh higher education department has identified 88 books and asked all government, private and government-aided colleges to place these in their respective libraries to aid ‘Bharatiya gyaan parampara’ (Indian knowledge systems).
Some of the notable names on the list, part of its letter dated 2 August, 2024, include anti-English books like Hamari Sanskruti Vichardhara ke Mulya Sroth authored by Suresh Soni, senior RSS leader and a prominent figure in the state. There are 14 books authored by Dinanath Batra who is a former general secretary of Vidya Bharati, a school network run by the RSS. Some of the other books include Swabhasha Lao-Angrezi Hatao, Paryatan Premi Bhartiya Drushti, Uccha Shiksha Bharatiya Drushti, Bharat Ke Pramukh Ganitacharya, and Puja ho toh Aisi, among others.
The list also contains all the 18 puranas including Narad Purana that describes the worship of lord Vishnu in detail, and Bhavishya Purana, among others. Along with this, there are four Vedas and 13 Upanishads included.
A senior official from the higher education department, while speaking to ThePrint, explained that as per provisions of the National Education Policy 2020, Bhartiya Gyan Parampara Prakoshths — cells for familiarising students with Indian knowledge systems — are to be set up across all institutes, and that these books will serve as reference material.
One of the books on the list, Angreji Madhyam Ka Bhramjaal, authored by Sankrant Sanu, has a chapter titled ‘Aatmahatya ko Vivash Karti Angrezi‘. In this he writes “There is a belief that an English-medium education is the path for the poor and Dalits to rise and succeed. It is being portrayed as the milk of a tigress.” In the same chapter, he discusses the case of Anil Meena, a tribal student from Rajasthan who overcame the odds to gain admission to AIIMS through a competitive medical entrance exam. However, Meena died by suicide in his second year, reportedly due to his struggle with the English language.
A senior official from the higher education department clarified that the decision is not mandatory but aims to enhance the resources in institutional libraries for students’ reference. “These are not textbooks but reference books that will be available in the library. Colleges are being asked to fund them themselves. Why should there be any issue with that?” said the official, requesting anonymity.
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How it started
The directive for colleges to order books as part of the Bhartiya Gyan Parampara Prakoshth initiative follows a letter issued on 10 June by the higher education department. This letter instructed all educational institutions, including private, government, and technical universities across the state, to conduct a two-day workshop with board of studies members, subject experts, and institutional heads. The purpose of the workshop was to develop suggestions and identify chapters for undergraduate and graduate courses that have links with the Indian knowledge system.
The workshop aimed to create literature that highlights the significance of ancient Indian culture and its influence on a wide range of subjects, from science and mathematics to political science.
A professional affiliated with a college in Bhopal said, “Considering I teach political science, there is a certain module of Indian thinkers and western thinkers, but for when I teach western thinkers, such as ‘justice’ as explained by Plato, I have been asked to give suggestions on what has been said in Indian culture on the same topic.”
Similarly, a professor of chemistry from Bhopal explained that while there is limited literature on the subject within Indian culture, students can be taught using familiar references. “For example, many Indian households use limestone to treat ant bites. This practical knowledge can illustrate scientific principles: since ant bites contain acid that causes a burning sensation, and limestone acts as a base, it provides relief. This approach demonstrates that Indian culture has rich, granular knowledge of science and literature that predates Western education systems,” the professor said.
Over the two-day workshops held in colleges and institutes across the state, teachers and experts gathered to brainstorm methods for integrating Indian knowledge systems into the education system. The event also featured presentations from experts and PhD researchers specialising in this field, who shared their insights and findings.
This then led to another letter being issued by the higher education department on 8 July for the establishment of Bhartiya Gyan Parampara Prakoshth which will have a nodal officer and the cell will be equipped with literature, books, charts, and appropriate posters. This letter also instructs all institutes to widely promote the prakoshth, which would host lectures, debates, seminars and other such activities that would be widely promoted through social media, and local newspapers.
While students will not be directly tested on their knowledge of Indian culture imparted in these cells, the effectiveness of this programme at each institute will significantly impact its National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) ratings, a professor told ThePrint requesting anonymity.
Opposition criticism
The decision by the Madhya Pradesh government has faced sharp criticism from Congress leaders. In a post on X, Congress spokesperson K.K. Mishra said, “It is interesting to note that the authors mentioned in the list hardly have anything to do with education. They are just committed to one ideology. When the Congress government comes to power, we shall abolish this order.”
Mishra further questioned whether the authors would even understand that the RSS, whose ideology they support, had historically criticised the Indian flag. “Is it not true that on the eve of Independence in 1947, RSS in its magazine ‘Organiser’ stated that the three colours of the Indian flag will have an adverse effect and it will be bad for the country? Hindus of the country will neither accept nor respect the Indian flag. Will books written by authors affiliated to such an ideology be able to motivate a true patriot?” asked Mishra.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhari)
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