The Maharashtra government, led by the BJP, is proposing to abolish special educational facilities to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in its draft report for the National New Education Policy.

Apart from the SCs and the STs, the State has also recommended abolition of educational facilities to Children with Special Needs (CWSN).

Activists working in the field of education have touted the move as ‘an attempt to remove caste-based reservation from education.’

A draft report prepared by the State government, which is available for scrutiny on the website of the School Education and Sports Department, also recommends scrapping of special schools for the SCs and the STs.

The report on ‘Enabling Inclusive Education – Education of the SCs, the STs, Minorities & Children with Special Needs’ said, “Abolish the SC/ST and CWSN categories for educational facilities. There should be only two categories i.e. financially and educationally weaker section.”

However, the report does not explain the definition of ‘educationally’ weaker section. It also said, “There should not be special schools for SC/ST because it will widen the social discrimination gap. All children should study and play together.”

A letter written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis by education activist Kishore Darak, highlighting the recommendation, said, “Why has the government planned to cancel facilities to the weakest section of the society and that too under the name of modernisation of education?” Mr. Darak has urged the Chief Minister to remove the recommendation from the draft and also sought his intervention to prepare a new draft.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat was caught in a controversy last month after he spoke against caste-based reservations.