In the Name of Living with Virus: Enforcement of (Hidden) Agenda to Throttle Idea of Inclusive Education and Development

Abstract

Inclusive idea of education in India though implied in the Indian constitution, has always been looked upon with suspicion by the privileged castes, classes, gender, and ethnic groups. The reason was apprehension of undoing of the status quo that has had remained primordial and backed by religious sanctions for social stratification. Therefore, idea of affirmative action towards disadvantaged sections in education in general and higher education in particular has faced stiff resistance by the conservative (status quoist) forces with ideas such as merit, efficiency and promotion of liberalization. However, with the limited implementation of the affirmative action policies such conservative idea was challenged, and representation of the disadvantaged sections was ensured, albeit partially. As a result, glimmerings of hope could be seen alongside with the amelioration of the disadvantaged statuses and (partial) inclusive development. But the present government with their covert strategies has always wished to hamper such inclusive idea in education. And amidst the present pandemic COVID-19 situation, they have found the golden opportunity to blow such development by arbitrarily shifting the policies pertaining to education to cause subtle exclusion of the disadvantaged groups. Such a shift in the policies is deliberate as has been proposed as universal and non-temporary change especially in higher education, that is, changes have been introduced with post-pandemic effect. Also, this change that has tendency for leaning towards liberalization/privatization can be seen as a logical continuation of their policies for withdrawal of the state from providing (higher) education in terms of continuous reduction in allotment of budget towards education. Interestingly, to divert attention and avoid critical reflection the change in policies are conveniently placed under the guise of (forced) living with the virus that has caused pandemic COVID-19.