The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) has its own way of looking at scientific education. Right wingers had claimed that astrology was the higher science and that the aircraft was invented in India. That caused a sharp controversy. Booklets have now been distributed by the RSS at over 2000 government and private schools. The Vijnana Bharati, the RSS’s scientific and technological innovation has done it along with Central government bodies. The Vijnana Bharati plans to hold an examination all over India on November 20. Students will have to cover such areas as the invention of zero, atomic physics in Vedic times and how to stitch up intestines by using ant heads. Such knowledge is not to be derided. But it betrays an obscurantist ideology now permeating the national ethos. It will confine students’ knowledge to the RSS brand. The Vijnana Bharati will be backed by the National Council of Educational Research.
What is a pity is that a large number of renowned schools will hold the examination. The authorities of these schools evidently wish to display loyalty to the RSS, not caring if their autonomy is in that way compromised. If the other schools follow suit, nothing will remain of academic freedom. The Vijnana Bharati has accomplished its work with remarkable speed. The Centre on the other hand is extremely slow in introducing necessary changes in the field of education. The extra examination will put additional burden on students who are already overburdened. It would seem that the RSS is doing little service to the cause of scientific enquiry.
