CPI leader VS Sunil Kumar. File | Photo credit: The Hindu
Communist Party of India (CPI) state executive committee member and former minister VS Sunil Kumar said that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government should not introduce the PM SHRI scheme in government schools as it is meant to propagate the political ideals of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
On Sunday (October 26, 2025) evening, he addressed an event organized by the CPI to celebrate the party’s centenary here.
Mr. Sunil Kumar said that the PM SHRI project was part of the National Education Policy 2020 introduced by the Union Government, which was an attempt to infringe on the federal rights of the State Governments. He said that although it is a fact that the Center has denied funds to the state under Samagra Shiksha, Kerala since 2019, the government should have fought for its rights legally instead of giving in to pressure and signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to implement the PM SHRI scheme.
He gave an example of a case related to denial of funds for the rehabilitation of Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide survivors, in which the Supreme Court ruled against the Union government. Referring to the argument that the CPI was unhappy because it was not consulted before signing the memorandum, he said his party was not highlighting it as a violation of coalition principles. Mr. Sunil Kumar pointed out that this is a political issue related to the introduction of RSS ideology in the education sector.
Amarjeet Kaur, CPI National Secretary, and Sathyan Mokeri, CPI State Assistant Secretary, among others spoke.
Published – 26 Oct 2025 20:50 IST
