New Delhi: The Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh has been forced to issue a clarification after it blamed prestigious institutes like Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) of being used to propagate anti- India and anti-Hindu activities.
The RSS has said that it will always counter those who try to politicise institutions. "RSS does not describe such debates and discussions as anti-Hindu. There are leftist people who use certain institutions. They are microscopic but they are strong people. We are contesting them on logical, empirical and on factual basis. We are not giving any certificate to anybody that you are anti-Hindu," RSS leader Rakesh Sinha said.
An article in the RSS mouthpiece 'Organiser' had claimed that political motives are behind the opposition by some Indian Institute of Management (IIMs) to some of the government moves. The article said the Left and Congress "still control the premium institutes" and both parties are "masters" at "ideological control" of an institute through the Board of Governors and Directors.
The RSS, in its article, has also taken potshots at former Chairman of the Board of Governors, IIT Bombay, and noted nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar, and IIM, Ahmedabad, Chairman AM Naik for their criticism of the ministry over various issues.
Claiming that non-vegetarian food began to be served at IIT Roorkee "in the holy city of Haridwar" and students at NIT, Rourkela, were "stopped" from holding Puja in community hall, both under the UPA rule, it said these incidents show that "these government-funded institutes from tax payers money are becoming a place for anti-India and anti-Hindu activities."
"Faculties with low moral are misguiding students. These activities either don't come to notice of Board of Governors or are being ignored. Board of Governors should also be made responsible for anti-India and anti-Hindu activities being carried out in the institutes," it said.
Taking a dig at Kakodkar, the article in the RSS weekly said said he accused HRD Minister Smriti Irani of taking directors' recruitment "casually" but did not say a word over celebration of 'Kiss of Love' by IIT Mumbai faculty and students.
The RSS weekly has been strongly arguing for the government to bring in changes in the education sector in line with the Hindutva outfit's views and has hit out at those opposed to its policies. Several older IIMs have also crititicised the draft bill prepared by the HRD Ministry that would give sweeping powers to the government in running the institutions.
The proposed bill, the article said, would make it difficult for political parties to control the appointment of directors and chairpersons and that is why many people were opposing it. It spoke about officials linked with the Left and Congress being appointed to these institutions.
"The bill introduces a provision under which the appointment of directors and chairpersons will have to be approved by the Visitor- the President of India- not the appointments committee of the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister," it said, batting for the draft bill.
Naik's reported comments against the draft bill have been criticised in the article, which said the "ethics" that are applicable to the Board of Directors in the corporate world should also be applicable to the board in these institutes. "Otherwise it will be very difficult to put these institutes, who are creators of India's future, on the correct path."
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