HRD Minister Smriti Irani denies saffronization of education

New Delhi, June 2: Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani on Monday dismissed the charge that education under the present government was being saffronised and backed an education system that promotes a career in sports and politics.

"I never ask students about the religion as we do not discriminate the right of a student to education on the basis of caste or religion," the Minister said.

To buttress the point that education was not being discriminated along religious lines, Irani referred to the appointment of Vice Chancellor of Central University of Gujarat, Syed Bari.

Talking to AajTak, Irani supported the views of a student that the education system should be such that it has enough scope for promoting a career in sports and politics.

In this regard, she said that as part of drafting the new education policy, she has held discussions with cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar and sports writer Boria Mazumdar on how to promote sports in education.

"Education should not be confined to campuses only. It should have enough scope where students can develop interest in sports and become a politician like me one day," she said.

Irani: Education should not be confined to campuses only

To a question on a large number of vacancies of Vice-Chancellors of Central Universities, she said the delay in appointment was because they had to start the selection process afresh. Irani charged that there was "impropriety in the selections earlier when UPA was in power".

She also emphasized on maintaining the autonomous status enjoyed by higher educational institutes and universities.

About the criticism from some circles with regards to the introduction of choice based credit system (CBCS) in universities, Irani said that she had held discussions in this regard with the Vice-Chancellors and asked them to hold discussions with the faculty about framing the curriculum.

The Vice-Chancellor's meet in last September in Chandigarh had endorsed introduction of CBCS from the coming academic session.

PTI