The Delhi government’s latest educational initiative, the Rashtraneeti Programme, has created widespread debate as schools prepare to introduce material focused on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), including its origins, ideology, and prominent leaders. While the programme is being presented as a broader effort to teach students about India’s freedom movement and democratic values, critics argue it risks pushing a narrow historical narrative that may alienate minority students.
Launched on 18 September during the Namo Vidya Utsav, the programme will be implemented in all government schools from kindergarten to Class 12. According to Education Minister Ashish Sodhi, the curriculum—currently being finalised—will include chapters on the RSS’s formation in 1925 by K.B. Hedgewar and the organisation’s role in social and national initiatives. Lessons will also feature figures such as former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Supporters of the move say it aims to highlight lesser-known contributions to nation-building. However, education professionals and community leaders have raised red flags over the programme’s emphasis on a single ideological stream. Critics worry that the framing of historical content through the lens of the RSS could exclude other communities and perspectives essential to understanding India’s diverse struggle for independence.
A government school teacher, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that instructional materials had yet to be issued, leaving educators unsure about how to approach the content. Meanwhile, schools are in the process of forming student committees and youth parliaments, with plans to begin Rashtraneeti lessons on a bi-monthly basis.
The curriculum also proposes to cover freedom fighters like Savarkar, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Subhas Chandra Bose under a section titled “Unsung Heroes.” Field visits, mock parliaments, and other civic engagement activities are planned as part of the broader pedagogical approach.
Still, several Muslim advocacy groups have voiced concern that the initiative may prioritise ideological symbolism over inclusivity. Zafar Hussain, a community representative in Jamia Nagar, warned against educational content that marginalises contributions made by Muslims, Dalits, Sikhs, and Christians to India’s independence and democratic fabric.
“Children must be taught history that reflects the full spectrum of India’s struggle, not one that favours a single organisation,” Hussain said. “Classrooms must promote unity, not reinforce divisions.”
As training sessions continue at the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), government officials remain undecided on which grade levels will first receive the new content. In the meantime, educators, parents, and civil society voices are urging the Delhi government to ensure that the curriculum maintains balance, accuracy, and respect for the pluralistic legacy of India’s past.
