RNS: Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi has sharply criticized the Modi government’s National Education Policy (NEP) in an article published in The Hindu. In her piece, Gandhi accuses the government of undermining the federal education system and pushing a “3C agenda” — centralizing, commercializing, and communalizing education.
Gandhi argues that the Modi administration is weakening India’s education framework by sidelining state governments from crucial policy decisions. She claims the central government has consolidated power over education, handing it over to private interests and introducing communal elements into the curriculum and institutions.
The Congress leader also expressed concern over the recruitment of individuals with right-wing ideologies in universities, even if their qualifications are lacking. She alleges that the government is attempting to reduce the qualification requirements for University Grants Commission (UGC) professors and vice-chancellors to appoint people aligned with its agenda.
The National Education Policy 2020 hides the reality of the 3Cs that haunt Indian education today.
👉Centralisation of power with the union government;
👉Commercialisation and outsourcing of educational investments to the private sector;
👉Communalisation of textbooks,… pic.twitter.com/TN6SLzB7cD
— Congress (@INCIndia) March 31, 2025
In her article, Gandhi highlights the alarming closure of 89,000 schools and the erosion of public service in India’s education system. She accuses the government of compromising the quality of education, leading to what she describes as the “killing” of India’s education system.
Sonia Gandhi also took aim at the government’s failure to engage with state governments on educational matters. She noted that the Central Education Advisory Board, which includes ministers from both the central and state governments, has not met since September 2019. Furthermore, Gandhi criticized the government for implementing the NEP 2020 without consulting state authorities, alleging that the policy reflects the broader agenda of the RSS and BJP, aimed at spreading hatred and radicalism through education.
