Newly appointed Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, who has replaced Smriti Irani after her controversial two-year tenure, on Wednesday said education is not a subject for “party politics” and he was open to suggestions from everyone.
Asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a vision to improve the quality of education and make it more meaningful, Javadekar said education should be seen as an “emancipator” and “agent of change” and he would come out with a roadmap after consultations with the PM and others including Irani.
I will build upon the several good initiatives taken up by Smriti IraniPrakash Javadekar
Irani’s stint as Human Resources Development (HRD) Ministry was marked by controversies with the minister drawing flak over dalit scholar Rohith Vemula’s suicide in Hyderabad, JNU row and allegations of saffronisation of education.
Javadekar said education “is not a subject for party poltics” but it is an important issue and “we will have discussion on it with everyone.”
Calling himself a product of student politics from the JP movement, the Minister said education was an “emancipator and agent of change” and it will play a big role in bringing changes in India in the 21st century.
Javadekar, who was in charge of Environment and Forest Ministry and was the lone minister to be promoted to the Cabinet rank while 19 new inductees took oath as Ministers of State on Wednesday.
He had previously invited criticism for supporting the culling of animals and also been criticised by environmentalists who don’t see him as environment friendly or sensitive to concerns. He had also led India at the Paris climate change talks last year.
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