In a time when international universities are leading the way in advanced scientific research and technology, India’s higher education institutions seem to be taking a troubling detour. The government’s push to saffronize educational institutions by injecting Hindutva ideology into the syllabus has raised concerns about the future of scientific inquiry in the country. Instead of focusing on areas like artificial intelligence, which is vital for India’s growth as the world’s most populous country, leaders in some of India’s most prestigious institutions are veering into superstition and caste-based ideologies.
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras), a leading scientific institution, has been at the center of controversy recently. The head of IIT-Madras publicly stated that drinking cow urine can cure diseases in just 15 minutes. This claim, which has gained widespread attention on social media, was further justified by others, despite the fact that a report from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) has shown that cow urine can be harmful to health, containing 14 types of harmful bacteria. Yet, the individual behind this claim remains in his position as the director of IIT-Madras, despite the lack of any consequences for his reckless behavior.
Similarly, IIT Bombay (IIT-B), once known for its emphasis on scientific inquiry, has become embroiled in a controversy regarding superstition and casteism. A recent seminar at IIT-B discussed “Garbhavigyan,” the science of childbirth, and claimed that one could influence the qualities of an unborn child through ancestral connections. The seminar, which featured a sanyasi as the keynote speaker, has drawn sharp criticism from students and teachers who view it as an attempt to legitimize superstitions. Despite the opposition, the official stance from the institution was that the seminar was not politically sensitive and therefore did not require approval.
These controversies highlight a broader trend in India’s higher education institutions, where the ruling party’s agenda to saffronize education is pushing academic leaders to prioritize superstition over science. Delhi University, one of India’s premier universities, recently approved six value-added courses, four of which focus on the Bhagavad Gita. This decision comes in the wake of the government’s move to restructure university curricula through new UGC guidelines, which may lead to more universities adopting similar courses and ideologies, undermining the focus on scientific research.
The infiltration of Hindutva ideology into education has not been without opposition. Universities such as the University of Hyderabad, JNU, and Jamia Millia have faced crackdowns on dissenting students and faculty, expelling those who speak out against the government’s influence on education. This trend poses a serious threat to India’s educational system, which was initially envisioned by leaders like Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to provide world-class technical and scientific education for the country’s development.
In conclusion, as India continues to push for scientific and technological progress, the rise of superstition and caste-based thinking in its higher education institutions is a setback. The government’s efforts to saffronize education are not only hindering scientific research but also eroding the secular and progressive values that have historically defined India’s educational institutions.
