Chennai: Human resource development ministry's proposal to make Sanskrit compulsory in IITs has evoked mixed response from students of IIT Madras.
Students were of the opinion that nothing should be imposed. While some feel if Tamil is made compulsory, it makes sense, as one should know the local language. Some other students and professors feel it is an imposition of RSS agenda.
Chandan Biswas, final year student of electrical engineering, was curious to know how Sanskrit would help. "If we are made to learn Tamil, it makes sense as it is the local language but Sanskrit would not help professionally. I feel nothing should be imposed like that,” he said.
“Besides Sanskrit other ancient languages like Tamil, Persian and many others should also be offered and not only of Northern part of South Asia,” he said.
Professor of History Abul Fazal from Islamia College Vaniyambadi said," It is saffronisation of education and aryanisation of Indian culture. Plurality should be the central role of Indian Nationalism. It should be vehemently opposed as it goes against the constitutional principal.”
Mohammad Azhardin Ganayee Phd Chemistry student IIT Madras said, "Sanskritisation of IITs is the policy of the government of imposing RSS agenda on one of the world's most prestigious institutions." There are far more important issues that the government and the ministry should be focus on, he said.
Gopish Gupta a chemical engineering student said, "It won't be very useful in terms of professionalism but in terms of culture it is. In foreign countries Sanskrit has been popularized. I feel it is a good move."
