india

Updated: Aug 18, 2019 01:15 IST

The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to introduce special sessions in government as well as private colleges to teach students about the “life, ideology and policies” of former PM Rajiv Gandhi, a state higher education department official said. The decision was taken on Friday.

The state government will observe 75th birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi the whole year, as ‘Yuva Sankalp Varsh’ by organising different programmes, competitions and inviting experts to inform the students about Rajiv Gandhi’s life, ideology and policies, said the official. The programmes will be held from August 20, birth anniversary of Late Rajiv Gandhi to May 21, 2020, his death anniversary.

The motive is to make the students aware of work done and policies introduced by Rajiv Gandhi as PM, said the state higher education and sports minister Jeetu Patwari. “Bharat Ratna late Rajiv Gandhiji was not only a creator of new India but also a crusader of communal harmony but the students were misinformed about him so we will make the students aware about the life, vision and deed through different programmes,” he added.

Higher education department released an order to vice-chancellors and principals of all government and private colleges of MP, the higher education department officer cited above said. Bhopal-based Barkatullah University vice-chancellor RJ Rao said, “The programme will be initiated on August 20 with a harmony run,” he added.

However, BJP spokesperson Rajneesh Agrawal said, “It’s good to inform about the former Prime Minister Rajeev Gandhi but students should also make aware of other great leaders. The Congress-led state government is repeating what they are doing since Independence. They are just promoting a family by ignoring many other great leaders.”

Educationist Professor Zamiruddin said, “It’s a political gesture. Every political party is trying to highlight the achievements of its leaders. It’s a tug of war between political parties. It’s good to highlight great leaders. The students should be taught the truth and the government should allow students to make their own ideology.”