Kerala Minister Slams RSS- Linked Education Conference, Warns of Saffronisation Threat

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala's General Education Minister V Sivankutty has strongly criticised a national higher education conference being held in Kochi by an organisation affiliated with the RSS, urging public resistance against what he called efforts to saffronise the education sector.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Sivankutty said the Kerala government unequivocally opposes any attempt to impose ideological agendas on education under the pretext of implementing the National Education Policy (NEP). The event, titled Gyan Sabha, is being organised by Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, a group with ties to the RSS.

"It is deeply concerning that education is being shaped to suit particular ideological interests," the minister said. “Education must remain secular, inclusive, and accessible to all. Any attempt to bend it towards political agendas is dangerous.”

Sivankutty expressed alarm over reports that vice -chancellors from five universities in Kerala are attending the conference, which will feature RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat as a key speaker. He warned that universities must remain autonomous and impartial, with their focus firmly on academic growth and research.

"Using institutions of higher learning to serve political interests undermines their core mission and can have long-term consequences," he cautioned.

The minister reaffirmed the state government's commitment to defending Kerala’s public and higher education sectors, stating that the administration’s goal is to uphold constitutional values and democratic principles in the education system.

Calling on citizens to remain vigilant, Sivankutty urged the people of Kerala to actively oppose attempts to communalise education and preserve its secular character.

The Gyan Sabha is scheduled to be formally inaugurated on Monday, with the organising body having announced the event on Saturday.