New Delhi: A delegation of religious minority leaders in India met federal Human Resources Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on September 29 to apprise him of their anxieties regarding the national educational policy.
Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), and Fr. Savarimuthu Y. Shankar, spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Delhi were part of the delegation comprising Christian, Muslim, Sikh and other minorities. Kamal Farooqui, a Muslim political leader, led the delegation.
The minister allowed every member to express their opinions, suggestions and anxieties regarding the national education policy during the two-hour meeting, a CBCI press note says.
Bishop Mascarenhas highlighted the immense contribution made by the minorities, particularly Christians, in nation building through education and healthcare.
The prelate also explained the concerns of the Catholic Church about the education policy and handed over the document prepared by the CBCI Office for Education and Culture.
He also pointed out the plight of tribals and dalits and other marginalized people and urged the minister to provide these groups preferential treatment in the National Education Policy (NEP) so that they can be empowered through education.
He also requested the minister to ensure that the NEP is not colored by any one religion but should reflect India’s religious and cultural diversity.
The delegation discussed various aspects of education such as need for adapting new methods in teaching, adapting new curriculum, placing the needs of the children as first priority, removing detention policy and focus on integral growth of the child. They also requested the minister to ensure protection of minority rights and that they receive government help to manage their educational institutions.
The minister assured that the constitutional provisions enshrined in articles 30 and 31 would continue to protect the interests of the minorities and their institutions.
He also explained the document is not the government’s official draft and that the cabinet has not approved it yet. He said the government will draft a new document with representatives of all communities and stakeholder and based on suggestions from various groups. The new draft would be made accessible for comments and observations, he added.
The minister praised the Church especially for its contribution in taking education to remote places specially to the tribals and dalits.
Bishop Mascarenhas thanked Javadekar on behalf of the delegation and assured full support and collaboration of the minorities in building the nation and its progress and development.