NEW DELHI, Feb 6: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed on Thursday that the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) draft regulations for appointing teachers and academic staff in colleges and universities are an effort to promote an RSS agenda that seeks to enforce a singular narrative of “one history, one tradition, one language” across India.
While participating in a protest organized by the DMK against the draft UGC regulations, the opposition leader in the Lok Sabha stated that the RSS’s aim is to eliminate the diverse histories, cultures, and traditions that exist in the country.
“This is the foundation of their ideology, and it reflects their goals. They undermine the Constitution is to pursue a singular narrative—one history, one tradition, and one language,” remarked the former Congress president.
“This initiative concerning the educational systems of various states is yet another attempt to advance their agenda,” Gandhi added.
He emphasized the unique traditions, histories, and languages of each state, highlighting that the Constitution describes India as a “Union of States.” He noted that all these diverse elements collectively shape the identity of India.
“We must respect all languages, cultures, traditions, and histories and recognize their origins,” he stated, addressing the importance of Tamils’ history, language, and struggles.
He criticized the UGC’s draft regulations, asserting, “This action disrespects Tamil people and other states where the RSS seeks to assert its dominance.”
Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav also expressed his criticism of the BJP-RSS, accusing them of attempting to seize total control over state governments.
“They want politicians to serve industrialists. We cannot endorse the new education policy… I support all the students here and their decisions. I oppose the NEP (National Education Policy) and the BJP,” he declared.
The Congress party described the UGC draft regulations concerning the appointment of teachers and academic staff as “draconian and anti-Constitution,” demanding their immediate withdrawal.
Referring to the draft regulations, the Congress asserted that the rationale for updating the rules in alignment with NEP, 2020, is unfounded and should be revoked.
Congress general secretary for communications, Jairam Ramesh, noted that a conclave of State Higher Education Ministers, hosted in Bengaluru by Karnataka minister MC Sudhakar, involved representatives from Karnataka, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, and Jharkhand—states governed by opposition parties—who adopted a 15-point resolution against the “draconian” draft regulations.
“The principle of federalism outlined in the Constitution is paramount, and enhancing the quality of higher education should be a key goal of the Union Ministry of Education. NEP, 2020, does not override this principle, and the argument for updating the rules to comply with NEP, 2020, does not hold true,” he asserted.
Ramesh insisted that these draft regulations must be rescinded immediately.
The conclave was organized by the Karnataka government’s Department of Higher Education to deliberate on the draft University Grants Appointment and Promotion of Teachers and Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and the Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education Regulations, 2025, along with the grading of higher education institutions concerning the implementation of NEP, 2020. (Agencies)
