Q: The 484-page draft policy of the New Educations Policy implies a vision to create an “India-centred” education system that will lead to the creation of an “equitable and vibrant knowledge society.” What is your take on it?

A: “We had a meeting of all the heads of institutions in which representatives from Protestant groups also participated. We are really worried about its implications. It is aimed at some sort of imposition of BJP ideology. The new policy makes Hindi compulsory, ignoring the interests of the minority. We are trying the get feedback from all the dioceses of North-East. It is going to affect all our institutions. Tamil Nadu has reacted against impositions of Hindi and their demand has been accept-ed. The policy is aimed at imposing Hindi/Hindu/Hindutva on every-one. The languages to be followed would be English, the regional language of where the school is located and a third Indian language. We are facing the enforcement of a monochromatic, monolithic, and simplistic mode of education run by the dominant majority.”

Bishop Stephen
Rotluanga C.S.C.
Aizawl