With Aam Aadmi Party leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s categorical announcement that grants that are presently being provided to primary schools (Diocesan Society of Education schools included) will not be withdrawn, AAP, Congress and BJP are now on the same page as far as the medium of instruction issue is concerned. Where does that leave the Bharatiya Bhasha Suraksha Manch?
In an informal chat with editors, Kejriwal made it very clear that his party would not touch the existing policy, but a more comprehensive policy would emerge after completion of Goa Dialogues, a process to elicit views of the people on various issues troubling the state. A hint on what direction this might take was provided by AAP spokesperson Ashutosh who said that providing quality education was more important than MoI. Should AAP take up the issue of quality education then it will be more aligned with the BJP. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has been pursuing a policy to upgrade the level of education in vernacular schools in order to stem the flow of students to English primary schools.
With the Parsekar government refusing to give in to the one-point demand of withdrawal of grants to DSE primary schools, a consensus seems to be emerging in favour of status quo. Although political parties and some MLAs have spoken out in favour of the mother tongue and regional languages, practically none would like to upset status quo on MoI for fear of a backlash from parents of all communities who want an English primary education for their wards.
At the political level, how does this work for AAP? Would it like to be seen as being on the same page as the BJP on the MoI issue or would it prefer to use the issue as a differentiator. It appears that AAP would prefer to use its anti-corruption image as the key differentiator because on this issue it has an envious reputation. Its commitment to rooting out corruption stems from a clear understanding that the 67 seats won in Delhi was the outcome of the strong stand taken against corruption during its 49-day rule. Also, after a series of meetings with people, AAP is veering towards the realisation that MoI is not as important an issue as quality of education, jobs for the youth and corruption.
So where does that leave the BBSM, which is the only organisation fighting against the tide? It has threatened to take on the BJP in key constituencies. The BBSM draws its strength from the RSS which, in Goa is at loggerheads with the government. It has succeeded in drawing large crowds for its meetings and though this has rattled the government, Parsekar has stood firm like a rock. BBSM leaders are keen on damaging the BJP in at least one or two constituencies, but to do that they have to either field candidates or support independents who share their ideology. Although some leaders have hinted at a wholehearted plunge into electoral politics, the organization will take a final decision on October 2. In the meanwhile it has launched a ‘shouting’ campaign against the government.
With AAP giving a clear indication of which way it proposes to go on the MoI issue and with Kejriwal making a point to visit the Archbishop, the BBSM is politically isolated. Time alone will tell if its bite is as potent as its bark.
