CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has criticised the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), using a controversial comparison while advocating measures to promote nationalism among students. He also announced plans to introduce changes in school curricula from the next academic year, bringing education policy and political debate into focus.
Speaking on October 25, Adhikari proposed organising annual three-day programmes featuring speech competitions, quizzes and debates in educational institutions. According to him, such activities would encourage students to develop national awareness and help them stay away from what he described as harmful influences.
During his remarks, the Chief Minister compared certain political groups and ideologies to cockroaches and bedbugs, saying their influence should not spread among students. His comments were widely interpreted as a veiled attack on CJP, a movement that has been vocal on electoral issues and has criticised the Election Commission over voter-list revision.
Adhikari also criticised the previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress (TMC) governments, accusing them of neglecting Bengal’s cultural heritage and traditions. He alleged that the previous administration had discouraged participation in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and promoted an alternative programme called Jai Hind Vahini. These claims were part of his broader criticism of the former government’s education policies.
The Chief Minister said changes would be made to school syllabi from the next academic year and asserted that the National Education Policy (NEP) would be implemented in West Bengal. He also expressed opposition to students using mobile phones up to Class 12, suggesting that tablets could instead be provided to support their studies.
Adhikari further stated that the government would not permit literature that it considers anti-India, anti-Sanatani or offensive to religious communities. Such a position raises questions about how restrictions would be defined and implemented while protecting freedom of expression and access to diverse viewpoints.
The remarks have added to the political debate over education, nationalism and dissent in West Bengal. The proposed syllabus changes and their implementation will be closely watched by educators, students and political parties.
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