RSS' role in 'nation-building' part of Maharashtra varsity syllabus
Nagpur, Jul 9: The history of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its role in 'nation-building' have been included in the syllabus of a university based in Nagpur, where the Sangh has headquarters.
The Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University has included RSS history in the second year BA (History) course.
While the third section of the syllabus has details about the role of RSS in nation-building, the first section speaks about the establishment of the Congress party and the rise of Jawaharlal Nehru and the second section dwells on issues like the civil disobedience movement.
A source close to the development said the move is part of efforts to make students aware about 'new trends' in history.
Satish Chafle, a member of the Board of Studies of the university, told PTI Tuesday that a chapter on the Sangh's role in nation-building has been introduced in the History of India (1885-1947) unit, which is part of the fourth semester for the second year of Bachelor of Arts (History) course.
The university syllabus had a chapter on "introduction to RSS" for the MA (History) course in 2003-2004.
"This year, we have introduced the contribution of the RSS in the nation building for the students of history so that they can know about new trends that take place in history. New trends like Marxism, new Marxism or new modernism have become a part of history as new trends," he said.
Justifying the move, Chafle said rewriting of history brings new facts before the society.
"Nationalist school of thoughts (including leaders like) Lokmanya Tilak is also part of the Indian history.
Similarly, history of the Sangh is a part of the nationalist school. Hence, introduction to RSS was included in the course," he said.
The induction of a chapter on the RSS has created a flutter.
Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant tweeted, "Where would Nagpur University find reference of RSS & Nation Building? It is most divisive force which collaborated with British, opposed freedom movement, didn't hoist Tricolor for 52 yrs calling it inauspicious, wanted Manusmriti in lieu of constitution, spreads Hatred."
Maharashtra's former chief minister Ashok Chavan said the RSS's `opposition' to the 1942 Quit India movement, the Constitution and National Flag should also feature in the syllabus.
"We demand thatRSS's protest to Chale Jao andolan in 1942, Indian constitution and National Flag should also be told to students," he tweeted.
Founded by K B Hedgewar in 1925, the Sangh is considered the ideological parent of the erstwhile Jan Sangh and its predecessor BJP.
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Kharge expresses regret over 'illiterate' remark, says he has highest of respect for Gujaratis
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New Delhi (PTI): Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday expressed regret over his controversial statement calling the people of Gujarat "illiterate", and said he has always had and will continue to have the highest of respect for the people of the state.
In a post on X, the Congress president said, "Some remarks of mine in a recent election speech in Kerala are being deliberately misinterpreted. Even so, I express my sincere regret.
"It was never my intention to hurt the sentiments of the people of Gujarat for whom I have always had and will continue to have the highest of respect."
Kharge on Sunday had sparked a row during his Assembly poll campaign in Kerala, calling the people of Gujarat "illiterate" and claiming they were being "fooled" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
At the same time, Kharge said neither Modi nor Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan could fool the people of Kerala, describing them as "very clever and educated".
"Don’t misguide the people of Kerala. They are very clever and educated. Modiji, Vijayan, you both can fool people who are illiterate in Gujarat or other places, but you cannot fool the people of Kerala," the Congress chief had said.
He made the remark while alleging that both Modi and Vijayan were following the same path, with no difference between them except the parties they lead.
The BJP on Tuesday had demanded an apology from Kharge for his remarks, saying that the comment was "shameless, demeaning and utterly despicable."
Addressing a press conference here, senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad asked Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to clarify whether they agreed with Kharge's statement.
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