NEP, PM SHRI scheme aimed at ‘brainwashing’ children: Priyanka Gandhi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday said that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2022 and Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) school initiatives were aimed at “brainwashing” children by teaching them only one ideology.

The Congress MP from Wayanad said that NEP and the PM SHRI scheme were structured in a manner that they teach only one ideology.

Besides that, a lot of factual inaccuracies have been inserted, historical data have been changed and “ideologically it is all leaning one way”.

“I don’t think that’s healthy for education or for children. They (children) should have a large perspective. If there are different ideologies, those should all be talked about.

“The children should be educated and they should be aware, but not all in one direction only. That is why we are against it and we oppose it,” she told reporters here.

Priyanka further said that she thought that the government in Kerala would have also opposed the PM SHRI scheme.

“I am surprised that it has not done it,” she said.

Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan hit back at the Congress leader, saying such statements were a “glaring display of ignorance and political opportunism”.

“By making such irresponsible and misleading statements, she not only distorted facts but disrespected the collective wisdom of India’s educators, academicians, and citizens who shaped these historic reforms,” he said.

“For over 30 years, India waited for meaningful education reforms that could prepare its youth for the challenges of the 21st century. The NEP 2020, formulated under the guidance of K Kasturirangan, a scientist of global eminence, was the result of one of the most exhaustive and inclusive consultation processes ever undertaken,” the Union Minister said in an X post.

Pradhan claimed the PM SHRI schools are the living embodiment of this vision.