Congress leader demands independent expert panel for new education policy, alleges RSS influence

Congress Working Committee member Gidugu Rudra Raju on Monday called for the constitution of an expert committee free from individuals associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to draft a comprehensive education policy, replacing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Speaking to reporters, Raju alleged that during the 12-year rule of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as many as 152 incidents of paper leaks of various competitive examinations, including NEET and CBSE, were reported.

Raju claimed that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), the National Testing Agency (NTA), and the Vice-Chancellors of many premier universities are led by RSS members. He warned that the future of these institutions would be at risk without a comprehensive education policy drafted by an independent body.

Reacting to recent student protests at Jantar Mantar over NEET paper leaks, Raju demanded that the families of 22 NEET aspirants who died by suicide after the question paper leak be compensated on a war footing. He also demanded a government job for the family of each of the 22 deceased students.

Raju further criticised the Prime Minister, saying that no ministry is allowed to function independently, and therefore the PM should be held responsible for any harm caused to the country.

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government has not yet responded to these allegations. NEP 2020, which replaced the 34-year-old National Policy on Education, has been a subject of political debate since its introduction.