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RSS chief tells ABVP mouthpiece that law should be same for all educational institutions; says saffronisation can instill a sense of national pride among students.

New Delhi: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has criticised the legal provision that exempts minority institutes from the 25 per cent seat reservation norm, indicating that this criterion has made minority schools profitable while the non-minority ones are facing a fund crunch. He has also demanded a change in the Right to Education Act.

“RTE Act is applicable to majority-run institutes and not minority institutes. As a result, it has become difficult for non-minority institutes to operate. Minority institutes get money and increase their income. Laws and rules are strange and they should be changed,” Bhagwat said in an interview to ABVP mouthpiece, Rashtriya Chhatrashakti.

ThePrint has accessed excerpts of the interview from the edition which is yet to be published.

The RTE Act defines education as a fundamental right of every child between the ages of 6 and 14. It requires all private schools, barring the minority ones, to reserve 25 per cent of their seats to children from socially and economically weaker sections and expenses are to be reimbursed by the state as part of the public-private partnership plan.

“The government, if it wants, can create the same provision for the bahusankhyak(majority institutions) as well. And if there is need to have such a provision for the majority-run schools, it should be given to them,” Bhgwat added.

The interview is to be published in a special edition of the magazine, marking the 40th foundation day of the Sangh-affiliated student outfit.

Responding to a query on allegations of saffronisation of education in India, Bhgawat said, “Bhagwakaran nahi hoga to kya hoga is desh mein (If not saffronisation, what else?)”

He then went on to explain that saffronisation is a way to instill a sense of national pride among students. “The new education policy should look into values and things that will make us proud of our country. We should have teachers who understand the value of such education. Education should inculcate a sense of discipline among students,” said Bhagwat. “Education should be affordable and qualitative and (the quality of) government schools should improve.”

The RSS chief urged the ABVP to strengthen itself in universities such as JNU and Jadavpur to counter the influence of the Left.

“Our absence in such universities is the main reason for the dominance of such a section (of intellectuals) in the universities. We need to strengthen our presence. ABVP can do some efforts to bring in its people to such places. Now, we see students are keen to be engineers, doctors, CAs and advocates whereas there is a greater need for good people in the Army, judiciary, art and culture and media. Only ABVP can prepare people who can remain firm on their stand while working in their respective fields,” Bhagwat said.

He also exhorted the ABVP to reach out to all sections of students and make them “aware of our concept of patriotism”.

Criticising the media for “distorting” facts, Bhagwat said the media has failed to “nurture qualities that are required in a society”. He urged them to project the truth and not to tamper with the facts.

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