CPI(M) seeks withdrawal of learning module for govt officials

CPI(M) today sought immediate removal of a distance learning module on 'Values in Administration' for government officials, saying it was not based on constitutional values, showed a 'shocking bias' and contained 'disparaging' remarks against Sikhism and Islam.

 

'Though the document's objective is to teach through distance learning the supervisory staff of the Government, it makes no effort to base the values of the administration on the Indian Constitution and constitutional values such as equality, fundamental rights, equity,' senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said.

 

In a letter to Minister of State for Personnel V Narayanasami, he said, 'Instead, the document talks about values derived from what the author calls 'Indian Insights of Human Values', which then identifies such values virtually with Hindu religious texts and beliefs' like Sattwik, Rajo and Tamoshik Guna and Karma.

 

'The module shows a shocking bias. There are disparaging remarks on Sikhism and Islam which in any case are not relevant to the subject matter - what constitutes values in administration.

 

'Neither is there any mention made of the Constitution of India, the various guarantees given under it to the Indian people and what it enjoins on the government personnel,' Yechury said.

 

He said the text also denigrated political parties and identified itself with the values intrinsic to erstwhile princely rulers of states.

 

'In the case of Kerala, it makes the astounding claim that all advances there have taken place due to the enlightened rule of the former Maharaja of Travancore and makes disparaging remarks about the Communists and the Communist government in Kerala (Section 3.