'Tampering with education to promote one ideology': Ashok Gehlot slams BJP, RSS on removal of Jyotiba Phule from Rajasthan syllabus

Ashok Gehlot

Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday strongly criticised the ruling BJP for dropping a chapter on Mahatma Jyotiba Phule from Rajasthan University’s political science syllabus, terming the decision “deeply condemnable.”

“The removal of Mahatma Phule's chapter from the syllabus is extremely condemnable and a big blow to those who draw inspiration from his thoughts,” Gehlot said in a post on X. He stressed that Phule’s life was dedicated to fighting social evils and championing girls’ education, adding that his ideals “continue to inspire generations.”

सामाजिक कुरीतियों को खत्म करने तथा बालिका शिक्षा को बढ़ावा देने के लिए आजीवन कार्य करने वाले महात्मा ज्योतिबा फुले जी के चैप्टर को राजस्थान यूनिवर्सिटी के पॉलिटिकल साइंस पाठ्यक्रम से हटाया जाना बेहद निंदनीय है एवं महात्मा फुले जी के विचारों से प्रेरणा लेने वालों के लिए बड़ा आघात…

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— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) September 17, 2025

Accusing the BJP and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), of trying to “tamper with education to promote one ideology,” the Congress veteran warned, “It is their mistake to think that they will be successful in their agenda by removing Phule from the curriculum.”

Gehlot also demanded an immediate reversal of the decision. “The BJP government must immediately restore this chapter to the syllabus,” he said.

Highlighting Phule’s universal acceptance across the political spectrum, the former chief minister noted, “All political parties and social organisations accept Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule as role models.” He further asked the BJP and RSS to come clean on the matter, stating, “The RSS-BJP must respond to this issue and clarify their stand.”