Nothing wrong if it's RSS agenda: Basavaraj Bommai defends NEP

The ruling BJP, defending the NEP, hit back at the Congress by stating that the NEP was not Italy's or Rome's education policy or Macaulay's education policy

Disorder reigned in the Assembly as all Congress legislators, including Leader of the Opposition Siddaramaiah, jumped into the well of the House seeking an extension of the legislature session to discuss the NEP, which they said was an RSS agenda.

The pandemonium led to chants of “RSS Zindabad”, “Chowkidar Chor Hai”, “NEP Beda” and “Jai Shri Ram” echoing in the Assembly.

It started when Congress MLAs J N Ganesh and Dr H D Ranganath entered the well of the House seeking time for their issues to be discussed. Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, however, was in a hurry to wind up business by 1 pm to go receive Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Soon, all Congress legislators stood in the well.

“As a party, we decided not to protest so that we can discuss people’s issues. But our members aren’t getting time or answers for their problems. We want the session to be extended by one more week,” Siddaramaiah said.

Specifically, Siddaramaiah said he needed time to discuss the NEP. “It is Nagpur education policy,” he said, referring to RSS headquarters, the BJP’s ideological parent. “It’s an RSS agenda and the future of our children is at stake.”

Kageri asked what was wrong with that. “Even if it is Nagpur-RSS agenda, what is wrong if it's actually good? The RSS agenda will be good,” he said, which enraged the Congress MLAs.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai rose to counter Congress’ attack on the RSS. “Nation, nationalism and RSS are all the same. NEP helps our children become ready for the 21st century,” he said. “And yes, it is an RSS education policy. We accept it,” he said, adding that NEP underwent discussions for three years. “NEP is for Indians by Indians. Theirs (Congress) is the Videshi education policy.”

This led to a volley with both sides shouting at each other.

Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, however, was in a hurry to wind up business by 1 pm to go receive Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Soon, all Congress legislators stood in the well.

“As a party, we decided not to protest so that we can discuss people’s issues. But our members aren’t getting time or answers for their problems. We want the session to be extended by one more week,” Siddaramaiah said.

Specifically, Siddaramaiah said he needed time to discuss the NEP. “It is Nagpur education policy,” he said, referring to RSS headquarters, the BJP’s ideological parent. “It’s an RSS agenda and the future of our children is at stake.”

Kageri asked what was wrong with that. “Even if it is Nagpur-RSS agenda, what is wrong if its actually good? The RSS agenda will be good,” he said, which enraged the Congress MLAs.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai rose to counter Congress’ attack on the RSS. “Nation, nationalism and RSS are all the same. NEP helps our children become ready for the 21st century,” he said. “And yes, it is an RSS education policy. We accept it,” he said, adding that NEP underwent discussions for three years. “NEP is for Indians by Indians. Theirs (Congress) is the Videshi education policy.”

This led to a volley with both sides shouting at each other and a slogan contest ensued.

Karnataka has claimed to be the first state to implement the NEP.

Amid the din, Kageri called on Health Minister K Sudhakar to begin his reply on the Covid-19 debate. With the noise soaring, Sudhakar chose to simply lay his reply without completing it.

Finally, Kageri adjourned the session sine die.

Check out latest videos from DH: