Is Vijayan Transforming Kerala Schools into RSS Branches?
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Synopsis
KPCC president Sunny Joseph raises serious concerns over the Kerala government’s involvement in the PM SHRI scheme, alleging a covert agreement with the BJP that undermines the state's secular educational values. Discover how this might reshape the future of education in Kerala.
Key Takeaways
- Vijayan’s government accused of compromising educational values.
- Concerns over a secret agreement with the BJP.
- Public demand for transparency regarding the PM SHRI scheme.
- Potential centralization of education in Kerala.
- Calls for accountability from CPI(M) leadership.
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 25 (NationPress) KPCC president Sunny Joseph stated on Saturday that the government led by Pinarayi Vijayan is transforming Kerala’s educational institutions into venues for executing the Centre’s “saffronisation initiative” via its involvement in the PM SHRI scheme.
He highlighted that the integration of schools into the PM SHRI project stems from a “covert agreement” between the CPI(M) and the BJP.
“It is alarming that even ministers from the Left Front and CPI(M) were informed about the MoU solely through media reports. This indicates a lack of collective accountability within the Cabinet,” he asserted, indicating that the state’s participation in the scheme was clandestine, prioritizing Vijayan’s personal interests over the welfare of Kerala.
Joseph urged the Chief Minister to clarify why the Cabinet’s previous decision to initiate legal action against the Centre’s unilateral approach regarding PM SHRI was overturned.
“The government, which had been vocally opposing the scheme from the outset, hastily joined it following the Chief Minister’s meeting with the Prime Minister on the 10th of this month. The citizens of Kerala deserve to know what agreement was made between them,” he stated.
He further accused the state government of hesitating to legally contest the Centre’s position due to its apprehension regarding the BJP.
“Similar to how the Centre executed the National Education Policy (NEP) without parliamentary discussion, the PM SHRI MoU was finalized while both the Cabinet and LDF allies remained uninformed. By doing so, the Pinarayi government has essentially accepted the NEP,” he remarked.
Joseph expressed that this capitulation would jeopardize Kerala’s democratic, secular, and pluralistic educational values, yielding to a religiously driven, centralized, and saffronized policy framework.
According to the agreement, Kerala will be bound to implement all the stipulations of the 2020 NEP under the PM SHRI.
“Once ratified, only the Centre holds the authority to withdraw from it. By 2027, irrespective of additional funding, all PM SHRI schools will fall under the control of the Union government,” Joseph added.
He demanded that CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby and the Chief Minister elucidate the party’s shift regarding the NEP, which it had previously condemned as unconstitutional and communal.
“By accepting funds tied to the NEP, the Vijayan government has compromised the future of Kerala’s children for a mere handful of silver,” he concluded.
Point of View
It is essential to approach this situation with integrity and fairness. The allegations made by KPCC president Sunny Joseph regarding the Kerala government's shift towards the PM SHRI scheme reveal significant concerns about the future of education in the state. The public deserves transparency and accountability from its leaders. This situation raises critical questions about the balance between state interests and national policies, a matter that warrants thorough examination and discussion.
NationPress
18/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PM SHRI scheme?
The PM SHRI scheme is an initiative by the Indian government aimed at enhancing the quality of education in schools across the country.
Why is the KPCC president concerned about the PM SHRI scheme?
KPCC president Sunny Joseph is concerned that the scheme represents a 'saffronisation experiment' aimed at compromising Kerala's secular educational traditions.
How has the Kerala government responded to the allegations?
The Kerala government has not yet publicly addressed the specific allegations made by Sunny Joseph regarding the PM SHRI scheme.
What are the implications of the NEP for Kerala's education system?
The NEP could centralize control over education in Kerala, potentially undermining the state's longstanding democratic and pluralistic educational framework.
What demands has Joseph made regarding the Chief Minister's actions?
Joseph has demanded clarification on the reversal of the Cabinet's decision to legally challenge the PM SHRI scheme and the reasons behind the government's sudden participation.
