‘AAP helping RSS control education’: Punjab legislator Pargat Singh slams GNDU V-C’s interaction with Mohan Bhagwat

Pargat criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government, accusing it of ideological alignment with the RSS. Taking to X, he posted: “When Guru Nanak Dev University’s Vice-Chancellor is seen Abjectively explaining things to the RSS Chief, it raises serious questions. It shows how the @AamAadmiParty government in Punjab has helped the RSS to take control of the entire education system, including universities, in Punjab.”

The video shared by the legislator shows the GNDU V-C rising from his seat in the audience and informing the RSS chief about initiatives at the university, including the introduction of a compulsory PhD course on Bharatiya parampara (Indian tradition) and the establishment of a Sikh Chair aimed at studying the connections between the Rigveda and the teachings of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev.

Pargat Singh further alleged that the AAP government had already displayed its alignment with right-wing policies by implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) in the state.

The university and the state government have not yet issued an official response to Pargat Singh’s remarks. Queries sent by The Indian Express to the varsity are also yet to receive a reply.

The Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas was established in 2007 as an extension of the Shiksha Bachao Andolan, and has since emerged as the RSS’s principal platform for educational outreach. It promotes value-based education, textbook reforms, and the revival of Indian knowledge systems.