Smriti Irani Says There is no Saffronisation of Education

Responding to Nandini Rao’s accusation, Smriti Irani says there is nothing called saffronisation of education.

Smriti Irani meets Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Uma Bharti. (Photo: PTI)

Smriti Irani, Union Human Resource Development Minister today said the country’s inherent strength in education, ancient concept and values is hailed and applauded abroad, but is described as “saffron” back in the country.

Nandini Rao, women’s right activist had accused the HRD Minister of saffronising education and ignoring issues of women, according to a The New Indian Express report.

Speaking at a conference organised by Hindu Education Board, she spoke about the criticism faced by Mathematics professor of Princeton University Manjul Bhargava who confided learning the concept of maths through Sanskrit poems.

Is everything Indian not to be valued? Is it possible in any country that we shy away from our own inherent strength, that we shy away from our own inherent heritage, our culture, our glorious history.
— Smriti Irani, HRD Minister

She said the new education policy, which would be ready by the year-end would emerge as one that helps in nation building.

“Education is also not limited to policy draft, or school or university. It defines the existence of human being, the society,” she said.