Nagpur University should also teach RSS opposition to Indian constitution: Ashok Chavan

Mumbai | Congress leader Ashok Chavan today responding to Nagpur University’s plan to include the role of RSS in nation-building in its second year BA history books said that students should also learn about RSS’ protest to Indian Constitution and the Indian flag.

Chavan in a tweet in Marathi wrote,” Nagpur University in its BA part 2 History syllabus will teach Rashtriya Swayam Sevak’s role in Nation Building. We demand that the student should also be taught RSS’ protest to 1942 Quit India movement and its opposition to the Indian Constitution and flag’.

नागपूर विद्यापीठ बीए भाग-२ च्या इतिहासाच्या अभ्यासक्रमात 'राष्ट्रीय स्वयंसेवक संघ राष्ट्रनिर्माणातील भूमिका' शिकवली जाणार आहे.
त्यामध्ये #RSS ने १९४२ च्या चलेजाव आंदोलनाला केलेला विरोध, भारतीय संविधान व राष्ट्रध्वजाला केलेला विरोधही विद्यार्थ्यांना सांगावा, अशी आमची मागणी आहे.

— Ashok Chavan (@AshokChavanINC) July 9, 2019

In a first, the history of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) political ideologue Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has been included in the history books of Nagpur University. The Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University has included the role of RSS in nation-building in its second year BA history books.

As per the new history syllabus of the Nagpur University, the Indian History’s third section consists of RSS’ role in nation building along with cabinet mission schemes. However, the first section states about the establishment of the Congress party, the nature of politics, the rise of Jawaharlal Nehru and development, while the second section talks about the non-co-operation movement, civil disobedience movement, and chale jao movement.

Responding to the incident, Shikshan Manch chief Kalpana Pande said that she needs to see what parts exactly the history education board has included. However, RSS is active in the country for 90 years. If there’s objective information about the organization, then there shouldn’t be an issue.”

The inclusion of RSS’ history in the university syllabus is likely to create an uproar among the opposition parties who have accused the ruling BJP government of saffronisation of education.