Shekhar Gupta: Medium of political education

Modi govt's push for education in Indian languages is out of touch with reality. State leaders know voters want English-medium education for their children more than anything

One aspect of Modi government’s National Education Policy (NEP) has caused some consternation and debate. It is the prescription that children hereon should be taught in their mother tongue, regional language, or home language (whatever that means) up to class 5, and preferably until class 8.

The critics say this is the Hindi-isation on the RSS agenda. The defenders say the children comprehend much better in their native tongue. In any case, they argue, that this is only a recommendation and not a compulsion.

But, it is the first national education policy being implemented by a government of the nationalist