Pinarayi accuses Congress of not objecting to RSS ‘injecting communally divisive narrative’ into Kerala school curriculum
The LP school Freedom Quiz question ostensibly sought to test children's historical knowledge by asking which freedom fighter received the most punishment from the British; the “answer key” identified the “freedom fighter” as V.D. Savarkar
Kerala's Leader of the Opposition, Pinarayi Vijayan, has accused the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government of allowing the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to inject a divisive nationalistic ideology into the state's school curriculum. During a press conference in Kannur, Mr. Vijayan expressed his concern over a controversial question in the "Freedom Quiz" program for lower primary school students in Manjeshwar, Kumbla, and Kasargod educational sub-districts.
The question asked which freedom fighter received the most punishment from the British, with the answer key identifying V.D. Savarkar as the "freedom fighter." Mr. Vijayan criticized the government for not objecting to this politically loaded question, arguing that it serves the RSS's Machiavellian agenda to rewrite history and promote a Hindu majoritarian perspective.
He highlighted Savarkar's betrayal of the Independence Movement, his collaboration with the British, and his efforts to secure release from prison through clemency petitions. Mr. Vijayan also pointed out that the Congress, while claiming the legacy of the Independence movement, has remained silent on the issue, demonstrating a shift towards the far right.
The Opposition leader further criticized the government for infringing upon the secular nature of the national anthem by rendering only the first two verses of Vande Mataram, disregarding the founding fathers' rationale behind preserving the song's inclusive and civic aspects.
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