MALAPPURAM: Backtracking on its initial support to the state government’s decision to continue in the PM SHRI scheme, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is now planning to press for Kerala’s withdrawal from the Centre’s flagship education programme
The climbdown comes amid growing pressure within the UDF and the party’s concerns that the scheme could be used by the BJP-led NDA government to advance the National Education Policy (NEP) in Kerala.
Giving a clear indication on the IUML’s latest stand, state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal on Monday said the party’s preference was to withdraw from PM SHRI and that the UDF should take the final call after considering public opinion.
“Our minds say we should withdraw from the scheme. The UDF will consider public opinion before taking a decision on PM SHRI. We expect a positive decision,” Thangal told reporters in Malappuram.
The IUML had earlier agreed to continue with PM SHRI on the condition that the existing syllabus would not be altered. It had also reached an understanding with the Congress on proceeding with the programme.
Senior IUML leaders said the party’s leadership held a series of discussions over the past few days before arriving at the revised position. The leadership now believes there is no political or financial justification to continue with the scheme once the existing agreement expires next March.
“Both Congress and IUML were of the view that the government could not withdraw from the deal once it was signed. However, the Centre has now clarified that there is no issue in withdrawing from it. Hence the rethink,” an IUML leader told TNIE.
He added: “Our biggest concern was the funds the state government would lose if we did not join PM SHRI. That was why we decided to continue with it as long as there was no interference in the syllabus. However, during recent leadership-level discussions, a bigger concern emerged. PM SHRI could become a tool for the NDA government to implement the National Education Policy in the states. This cannot be allowed.”
League to inform UDF of revised stand
The IUML is of the view that the scheme should not be continued beyond the validity of the existing agreement, which runs until March 2027. The party will communicate its position to both the UDF and the cabinet subcommittee constituted to examine the issue.
Recently, in a written reply to IUML MP Abdul Wahab in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary had said states withdrawing from PM SHRI would miss out on the benefits offered under the scheme.
IUML leaders said the minister’s response prompted a reconsideration of the party’s earlier stand.
“We had heard Chief Minister V D Satheesan say that once the agreement was signed, the state could not withdraw from it. The Centre’s response to Wahab’s question made us aware that the state has the right to withdraw.
That is why, when convenor Adoor Prakash told the media after the UDF meeting that the front had decided to continue with PM SHRI, P K Kunhalikutty clarified that no final decision had been taken,” the leader said.