'Against Social Justice, Equality': Rahul Gandhi Targets Centre Over Ambedkar, Phule Books
Rahul Gandhi alleges the Centre is targeting Ambedkar and Phule's writings to suppress student thinking and questioning.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a scathing attack on the Central Government on Wednesday, accusing the Modi administration of being fundamentally opposed to the principles of social justice and equality. The Congress leader alleged that the current education system is designed to suppress independent thought and discourage students from asking critical questions.
Allegations of Targeting Reformist Literature
The controversy erupted following an anonymous social media post that targeted seminal works of social reform. Rahul Gandhi pointed out that an internet troll had described essential books—specifically Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's "Annihilation of Caste" and Jyotiba Phule's "Gulamgiri"—as "injecting poison" into the minds of the youth.
The Congress leader claimed that the government's reaction to this online criticism was swift and systemic. He alleged that following the troll post, the Ministry of Education, acting under the direction of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), reached out to all central universities to demand detailed information regarding their syllabi. The directive reportedly sought specific data on the number of students enrolled in courses related to these transformative texts.
Criticism Over Government Priorities
Rahul Gandhi expressed deep concern over what he perceives as a selective approach to governance and accountability. He highlighted a stark contrast between the government's rapid response to social media trolls and its perceived silence on critical national issues.
The Congress leader raised several key points:
- Suppression of Thought: He claimed the entire system is designed to prevent students from thinking critically or questioning the status quo.
- Selective Action: He noted that while the Prime Minister remains silent on pressing issues like paper leaks, unemployment, and youth security, the administration "springs into action" at the mere hint of criticism from internet trolls.
- Attacking Icons: He suggested that targeting the writings of Ambedkar and Phule is an attempt to undermine the foundations of social equality in India.
The Congress leader's remarks underscore the growing political tension regarding the curriculum and the role of social reformist literature in Indian higher education institutions.