Saffronisation of Education
Since after coming to power, BJP has been making intensive attempts to saffronise the social, political, cultural and educational structure of the country by making alterations. All these attempts are preparation for implementation of the agenda of Sangh Parivar. There is no doubt it will incur far-reaching effects which in no way will be in the interest of the country because the purpose of educational agenda of RSS is to pull down the centuries-old secular system of the country and poison the minds of common people particularly young people with communalism.

In the first regime of NDA also, BJP had made attempts to saffronise education. The education minister of that time had called a conference of state education ministers and asked them not to bring any change in syllabus without consulting him. But non-BJP states thwarted the attempt.

To make its old attempt successful now, the new government of BJP has decided to set up a commission in the name of education reform. Obviously, its purpose would be saffronisation of education because in states where BJP is in power, Hindutva ideologies are being promoted through educational syllabus. Through syllabus of schools set up by RSS like Shishu Vidya Mandir, Bal Bharti, Shiv Mandir etc, saffron views are being promoted. Vande Mataram and Saraswati Vandana, which Muslims have always opposed to, are being popularized in schools and colleges.

An esteemed English daily in Delhi recently published a story about a social activist Dinanath Batra. Batra, who was earlier a teacher, has set up a so-called nongovernmental commission for Indianisation of education. He has claimed that he would submit his report to the central government in three years. Batra is a senior member and pracharak of RSS and convenor of Shiksha Bachao Andolan, an outfit backed by RSS. Mr. Batra has prepared a series of books influenced with racism and communalism and presented twisted ancient history of India. The government of Gujarat has included his books in the syllabus of schools in the state. Besides Gujarat, these books of Batra are being taught in colleges in the states governed by BJP.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind demands that no alteration should be made to the traditional education and syllabus of the country particularly in the books of history. Instead of painting it with a particular color, traditions and values of all religions should be respected. Rather than tarnishing the image of a particular religion and presenting other with better image, things should be presented with facts and truth. Religious education is an important need of the hour but teachings of one religion should not be made compulsory for students of all religious. Instead, students should be provided with an opportunity to learn their religion and its teachings.

Growing Communalism
The growing communalism in the country has taken a serious shape which is a subject of concern. The chain of highly objectionable and hateful statements started by some politicians and votaries of Hindutva before the recent General Elections has grown manifold after the results and formation of the government. Consequently, day in and day out communal riots are taking place in different parts of the country, which is a threat to communal harmony and brotherhood and also a hindrance to development and progress of the country. The riots of Saharanpur, Moradabad and Pune are some latest example.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind strongly condemns these riots. Jamaat feels that those involved in inciting such things and are constantly indulged in disturbing the atmosphere are actually working to weaken and divide the country. Our country can become powerful only when every section of the society has equal opportunity of development and progress with peace and brotherhood; and the atmosphere of mutual trust and justice is upheld. Feeling of insecurity and injustice among people is also a big obstacle to progress of the country.

Jamaat wants to draw the attention of government and its leaders to an urgent need of controlling the communally surcharged atmosphere of the country. There is also an urgent need to deal sternly with anti-social elements who are out to spoil the atmosphere of peace and brotherhood and whose motto is politics of hatred.

Jamaat is also of the view that whoever suffers and whatever is lost in communal riots is actually the loss of the country. To stop people from impairing the country is a big need of the hour. At this juncture, silence of the government is emboldening the rioters. Rather, it seems, such attitude of the government is a silent support to the rioters.

Israeli Shelling of Gaza Nothing Less than Genocide
Israel’s bombardment of Gaza Strip has claimed over 1,400 besieged innocent Palestinian citizens, rendered over 8,000 people injured and displaced about 185,000 persons since attacks began on July 8. Even sleeping children and hapless women in UN designated shelters have not been spared. This is outrageously inhuman, and is tantamount to genocide. This is a crime against humanity and serious affront to peace, international law and the civilized society. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind condemns in the strongest possible terms this unjustifiable and diabolically planned attack on the entire nation of Palestine.
The Jamaat calls upon the international community to exercise the power at its command to put an immediate end to this continuing carnage, to get the siege of Gaza Strip removed and let the Gazans live in peace and dignity in their native land. The Jamaat also calls upon the world powers to take Israel to International Court for accountability and justice.
The Jamaat notes with concern the paradigm shift in the decades old stand New Delhi had on the Palestine issue and takes its studied silence followed by refusal to interfere in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict on the ground of maintaining ‘friendship with both sides’ as unfortunate and untenable. Though New Delhi voted for the UN resolution in favour of Gaza yet it refused to debate the issue in our Parliament; this is beyond our comprehension. The Jamaat urges the Government of India to review its approach to this burning issue on purely humanitarian ground, allow debate on the issue in Parliament and condemn Israel in letter and spirit for its brazen attack on Gaza.