Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday strongly criticized senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi for her scathing newspaper article on the National Education Policy (NEP), calling her remarks misleading, politically motivated, and ignorant of the policy’s actual intent.

In her article, “The ‘3Cs’ That Haunt Indian Education Today,” published in The Hindu, Gandhi accused the Union government of undermining the education system, alleging that it prioritizes centralization of power, commercialization, and communalization of educational institutions, textbooks, and curriculum. She asserted that the policies of the last decade have led to “the carnage of India’s public education system” and called for an immediate reversal of these changes.

Reacting strongly, Yadav denounced the article as an unfair and ill-informed attack on the NEP, which he claimed has been transforming education in Madhya Pradesh and across India. Speaking to reporters in Maheshwar, Khargone district, he remarked, “Madhya Pradesh, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has successfully implemented the NEP. Sonia Gandhi’s article is filled with baseless accusations. I doubt she has even read the policy in its entirety.”

Yadav further argued that Gandhi’s criticism fails to recognize the NEP’s emphasis on self-reliance, cultural pride, and holistic education. He stressed the importance of connecting students with India’s rich heritage rather than distorting history for political motives. “If someone exaggerates or communalizes historical narratives, then they are the ones creating divisions. Our roots should connect us to great leaders like Shivaji Maharaj rather than glorifying invaders. Education must instill self-reliance, values, and national pride while also preparing students for the future,” he said.

The Chief Minister also criticized the Congress’s historical approach to education, accusing past governments of systematically downplaying Indian icons such as Vikramaditya, Maharana Pratap, and Shivaji Maharaj, while presenting foreign invaders in a favorable light. “During Congress rule, the education system was reduced to repackaging Macaulay’s British-era policies. They failed to make any real reforms, and instead, Indian history was distorted in textbooks,” he claimed.

Yadav further attacked Gandhi’s credibility on education policy, stating that she should have sought expert opinions from scholars and educationists before making sweeping statements about NEP. “Instead of engaging with experts, she has relied on an uninformed person to draft her article. This shows complete disregard for the work done under NEP. She should apologize for misleading the public,” he asserted.

Defending NEP 2020, Yadav highlighted its focus on modernizing education while staying rooted in Indian traditions. “This policy is designed to break away from colonial mindsets, strengthen foundational learning, and equip students with 21st-century skills. We must move forward and not remain trapped in narratives that held India back for decades,” he added.

The BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government has been a strong proponent of NEP 2020, implementing key reforms in higher education, curriculum updates, and skill-based learning. Yadav reaffirmed the state’s commitment to providing quality education, rejecting claims that the policy is harming students.

The political clash over NEP reflects broader ideological differences between the BJP’s emphasis on cultural nationalism and education reform and Congress’s concerns over institutional autonomy and inclusivity in education. As the debate intensifies, the future of India’s education policy remains a critical issue in the national discourse.

Also read: ‘Carnage’ of India’s public education system must end: Sonia Gandhi