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Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday slammed Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for saying that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the PM SHRI (Prime Minister Schools for Rising India) initiative were aimed at “brainwashing” children by teaching them only one ideology. He called her remarks as “glaring display of ignorance and political opportunism”. The Congress MP from Wayanad said that the National Education Policy 2022 and the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme were structured in a manner that they teach only one ideology. “I don’t think that’s healthy for education or for children. They (children) 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. That is why we are against it and we oppose it,” she told reporters here. In response to her remarks, Pradhan in a post on X said: “The remarks made by Smt Priyanka Gandhi on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the PM SHRI (Prime Minister Schools for Rising India) initiative are a glaring display of ignorance and political opportunism. By making such irresponsible and misleading statements, she not only distorts facts but disrespects the collective wisdom of India’s educators, academicians, and citizens who shaped these historic reforms.” He further said that India waited for meaningful education reforms for over 30 years that could prepare its youth for the challenges of the 21st century. The minister said that the NEP 2020, formulated under the guidance of Late Prof. K. Kasturirangan, a scientist of global eminence, was the result of one of the most exhaustive and inclusive consultation processes ever undertaken. “The policy seeks to modernize the education system with an emphasis on inclusion, equity, quality learning, and global competitiveness, while remaining firmly anchored in India’s civilizational ethos,” he said. Pradhan said: “The PM SHRI schools are the living embodiment of this vision. These exemplar schools represent the future of Indian education featuring smart classrooms, Atal Tinkering and Innovation Labs, digital and experiential learning, libraries, eco-friendly campuses, vocational and skill hubs, and inclusive spaces for every child. They actively promote arts, culture, sports, and environmental stewardship, nurturing creativity, confidence, and character. In essence, PM SHRI schools blend modernity with moral strength, technology with tradition, and innovation with inclusion.” Criticising Priyanka’s remarks against NEP and PM SHRI, Pradhan said: “To oppose such visionary initiatives is not to critique policy; it is to stand against the very idea of an India that no longer needs approval from old political dynasties to educate its children. Perhaps the discomfort stems from the fact that for decades, education was reduced to political rhetoric and neglect. Now that reforms are actually being implemented, it is convenient for some to feign outrage rather than acknowledge success.” “If empowering children with innovation, critical thinking, and pride in Bharat’s heritage is ‘ideological,’ then yes, the ideology is nation-building,” he added.
