In a recent political exchange surrounding India’s education reforms, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra sharply criticized the National Education Policy (NEP) and the Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme, accusing them of pushing a one-sided ideological agenda aimed at “brainwashing” children. Her remarks, made on Thursday in Wayanad, Kerala, sparked a swift and forceful rebuttal from Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who condemned her statements as “ignorance and political opportunism.”
Priyanka Gandhi’s comments came amid heightened debate in Kerala over the state government’s decision to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the central government to implement the PM-SHRI scheme. The scheme is part of the government’s broader efforts to revamp and modernize the Indian education system in alignment with the NEP, which was introduced in 2020 with an aim to transform education across the country. However, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M), has had reservations about the policy, reflecting ideological differences within the state’s ruling coalition. This tension recently culminated in Kerala’s cabinet forming a sub-committee to review the MoU after pressure from the CPI, an ally of the CPI(M), which had opposed the MoU on the grounds that the NEP conflicted with its ideological stance.
Addressing reporters in Wayanad, Priyanka Gandhi expressed concern that the NEP and PM-SHRI were designed to “brainwash children according to their own ideology.” She alleged that the reforms incorporated “lots of factual inaccuracies” and altered historical data to fit a particular narrative. According to her, the education system under these policies was “leaning one way” ideologically, which she argued was unhealthy for children’s education. “They should have a large perspective. If there are different ideologies, those should all be talked about. The children should be educated and they should be aware. But not all in one direction only,” she said, emphasizing the need for a balanced and inclusive approach to education. Priyanka also expressed surprise that the Kerala state government had not taken a stronger stance against the NEP, given the opposition from its Left coalition allies.
In response, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to counter the allegations. He characterized Priyanka Gandhi’s remarks as a “glaring display of ignorance and political opportunism,” highlighting that such statements not only distorted facts but also disrespected the “collective wisdom” of India’s educators, academicians, and citizens who contributed to shaping the reforms. Pradhan underscored that the NEP was formulated under the expert guidance of noted scientist Prof. K. Kasturirangan and was the outcome of one of the most exhaustive and inclusive consultation processes in India’s recent history.
Pradhan elaborated that the NEP aims to modernize the education system with a focus on inclusion, equity, quality learning, and global competitiveness, while remaining rooted in India’s civilizational ethos. He described PM-SHRI schools as the “living embodiment” of this vision, designed as exemplary institutions featuring smart classrooms, Atal Tinkering and Innovation Labs, digital and experiential learning methods, well-stocked libraries, eco-friendly campuses, and hubs for vocational and skill development. These schools also emphasize arts, culture, sports, and environmental stewardship, fostering creativity, confidence, and character among students. According to Pradhan, these initiatives blend modernity with moral strength, technology with tradition, and innovation with inclusion, representing a comprehensive approach to nurturing India’s future generations.
Pradhan further argued that opposing such forward-looking initiatives is not merely a critique of policy but an opposition to the very idea of a self-reliant India that no longer depends on “old political dynasties” to educate its children. He suggested that the discomfort expressed by some political quarters stems from decades of education being reduced to political rhetoric and neglect, implying that the NEP and PM-SHRI mark a significant departure from past failures.
The political controversy unfolding in Kerala is particularly significant because the state had initially opposed the PM-SHRI scheme, primarily due to the requirement in the MoU to implement the NEP in its entirety. This opposition led to the central government withholding funds allocated to Kerala under the Samagra Shiksha program