Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has strongly criticized the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accusing the BJP-led central government of imposing it without adequate consultation. She claimed that the policy centralizes control, promotes commercialization, and undermines federalism in education.
In an opinion piece published in a leading daily, Gandhi stated that the NEP 2020 serves the government’s agenda rather than the welfare of students. She alleged that the policy focuses on three core objectives:
- Centralization – Concentrating decision-making power at the Centre while sidelining state governments.
- Commercialization – Encouraging private sector involvement, which may prioritize profit over accessible education.
- Communalization – Influencing textbooks and curriculum to align with ideological narratives.
Concerns Over Federalism and Policy Implementation
Sonia Gandhi emphasized that education falls under the Concurrent List of the Constitution, meaning both the Centre and states should have a say in policymaking. She criticized the government for failing to consult state governments before implementing the policy.
“The Central Advisory Board of Education, which includes Union and state Education Ministers, has not been convened since September 2019,” she pointed out. She further accused the government of disregarding democratic consultation and imposing policies without considering regional perspectives.
Tamil Nadu’s Opposition to NEP 2020
Her remarks come amid a dispute between the Tamil Nadu government and the Centre over the alleged imposition of Hindi through NEP 2020. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, has strongly opposed the policy, stating that Tamil Nadu will not accept any form of language imposition.
While the Congress, an ally of the DMK, has taken a more balanced stance, Sonia Gandhi reiterated that Hindi should be a choice, not a mandatory requirement.
Lack of State Involvement in NEP Implementation
Gandhi criticized the government’s unilateral approach to implementing NEP 2020, highlighting that states were not consulted even once after the policy was introduced. She called for greater cooperation between the Centre and states to ensure a balanced and inclusive education system.
As debates over NEP 2020 continue, opposition parties, including Congress and DMK, are pushing for more state involvement in education policy decisions.
For further updates on education policies and reforms, stay tuned.
