Varanasi: Following the controversy over a question in Banaras Hindu University's MA History examination regarding the impact of Brahmanical patriarchy on women, Congress state president Ajai Rai has demanded that educational institutions be kept free from political and ideological interference by the BJP and RSS.
Rai’s Statement
“We strongly oppose this question and such a mentality and demand from the university administration that this question be immediately withdrawn. It should also be ensured that in the future, educational institutions are not used for any political or ideological agenda,” Rai said.
Background of the Controversy
A controversy erupted over a question asked in the fourth semester examination of MA History at BHU. Students affiliated with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a protest outside the history department on Wednesday, raising slogans. They demanded that the university administration investigate the matter and take action against those responsible.
Rai’s Concerns
Rai stated that the manner in which terms like ‘Brahmanical patriarchy’ have been presented as a question in the MA History examination at BHU has forced the entire society to think. He emphasized that the purpose of education is not to generate ill-will towards any caste, class, or community, but to guide society in the direction of knowledge, sensitivity, and unity.
He further said that in India's Sanatan tradition, the Brahman community has always been a symbol of knowledge, penance, education, culture, and spiritual consciousness. The Brahman community has made a historic contribution in advancing the Vedas, Upanishads, Indian philosophy, Sanskrit literature, and the education system. He added that the mentality of humiliating any caste or placing it under suspicion is against both Indian culture and the Constitution.
Allegations Against BJP and RSS
Rai alleged that the ideological interference of the RSS in educational institutions is increasing. He cited a previous incident where a question describing the Brahman community as ‘opportunistic’ was asked in the Uttar Pradesh sub-inspector recruitment examination, which caused a major controversy. He also mentioned an attempt to humiliate an entire community through a film titled ‘Ghooskhore Pandit’, which faced widespread opposition and ultimately the filmmakers had to withdraw the title.
Rai alleged that the BJP and RSS want to take the country's education system away from independent thinking and a scientific approach and make it a medium of ideological control. “This is a dangerous trend — the job of universities is to unite society, not divide it,” he added. He stressed that history should be taught on the basis of facts, evidence, and a balanced perspective, not in accordance with the ideology of any particular organization.
