Congress Sounds War Cry: Kharge, Rahul Gandhi Mobilize CMs Against RSS Education Agenda

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday convened a high-level meeting with Chief Ministers and Education Ministers from Congress-ruled states to devise a joint 'action plan' against what the party describes as the RSS's growing influence over India's education system. The meeting, held in New Delhi, concluded with a directive for states to adopt and promote student-centric educational policies that prioritize critical thinking and inclusivity over ideological indoctrination.

The move comes amid escalating tensions between the opposition and the BJP-led central government over the direction of national education policy, with Congress leaders repeatedly accusing the RSS and its affiliates of attempting to rewrite curricula and appoint ideologically aligned academics to key institutions. While no specific policy measures were announced, party sources indicated that the action plan could include model legislation, state-level curriculum reviews, and a coordinated public campaign to highlight alleged RSS interference. 'Education must empower students, not serve any organization's agenda,' Kharge was quoted as saying during the meeting, according to a party statement.

The development is likely to deepen the political fault lines ahead of upcoming state elections and the 2024 general polls, with Congress positioning itself as the defender of secular, progressive education. The BJP has yet to respond officially, but ruling party leaders have previously dismissed such allegations as political posturing. The Congress's action plan may also face legal and administrative hurdles, as education is a concurrent subject, and any state-level deviations from national frameworks could trigger friction with the Centre. Observers will watch whether other opposition parties join the initiative, potentially shaping a broader anti-RSS education front.