Saffronisation of education is good: Ram Shankar Katheria

Union minister of state for human resource development, Ram Shankar Katheria, has generated a major controversy by saying that there is no problem with the saffronisation of education if it is for the benefit of the nation.

The minister, while addressing a function at the Lucknow University on the occaasion of the “Hindi Swaraj Diwas Samaroh” to mark the 342nd coronation year of Shivaji, said that be it “saffronisation or sanghwad” — if it is good for the country then it will definitely take place.

The minister said, “I am saying there will be saffronisation in education and in the country. Whatever is good, will definitely take place — be it saffronisation or sanghwad”.

Recalling the contributions made by several stalwarts in the Indian freedom struggle, Mr Katheria said they lived their lives for humanity and the welfare of the nation.

“If we do not study the history of Maharana Pratap and Subhash Chnadra Bose, then should we study the history of Genghis Khan Those who fought for the Indian freedom struggle got their inspiration from Maharana Pratap, who had sacrificed his life for his country,” he said.

The minister also remembered the contribution of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

“Dr B.R. Ambedkar is seen as the personal property of one party in our country, but he is just not an ideal leader and nationalist for the country, but for the entire world,” he pointed out.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari, meanwhile, said that the true colours of the BJP and its ministers were slowly getting exposed.

“The minister should be asked to resign because he has violated the oath of the Constitution which reaffirms the secular character of the country,” he said.

Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said that some people were trying to create communal disharmony by making such statement. He said that his party would deal firmly with them.