Draft:Shiksha Bachao Andolan Samiti

The Shiksha Bachao Andolan Samiti (SBAS) was founded in India in the early 2000s. SBAS is a socio-religious organization based in India. It aims to change the face of Indian education, by removing content the organization deems "anti-national" or hurtful to "the feelings of Hindus" It primarily operates in the realm of education, advocating for certain social and cultural values within the Indian educational system. It has a sister organization the Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas The organization has been active across India, engaging with educational institutions, government bodies, and the public to further its goals. It has organized protests, filed lawsuits, and conducted awareness campaigns to garner support for its cause.

History

The Samiti is Led by Dinanath Batra, SBAS gained prominence for its efforts to influence school textbooks in India. The organization has been particularly vocal about what it perceives as the need to promote Indian cultural and religious values in the curriculum, often advocating for the inclusion of more content rooted in Hinduism and Indian heritage.

SBAS operates primarily through advocacy efforts, campaigns, and legal interventions to influence educational policy and curriculum content. One of its main objectives is to promote what it perceives as Indian cultural and religious values within the education system. This often involves advocating for the inclusion of content related to Hinduism and Indian heritage in school textbooks

Achievements

Textbook Revisions: SBAS has been successful in advocating for revisions to school textbooks to include content that aligns with its perceived cultural and religious values. This includes promoting the inclusion of material related to Hinduism and Indian heritage.

Legal Interventions: The organization has filed lawsuits and legal petitions to challenge educational materials and practices that it deems as contradictory to its objectives. These legal interventions have sometimes resulted in changes to curriculum content or teaching methods.

Awareness Campaigns: SBAS conducts awareness campaigns to educate the public about its mission and goals. These campaigns often aim to garner support for its cause and raise awareness about what it perceives as issues within the education system.

Influence on Policy: Through its advocacy efforts and public campaigns, SBAS has managed to influence educational policies at various levels, including at the state and national levels in India. This influence has sometimes led to changes in educational guidelines and curriculum frameworks.

Cultural Advocacy: SBAS has played a role in promoting what it considers as Indian cultural values within the education system. This includes advocating for the celebration of Indian festivals, the promotion of traditional arts and crafts, and the inclusion of cultural history in textbooks.

Controversies

SBAS has been involved in several controversies over the years, particularly regarding its influence on educational policy and curriculum content. Critics argue that the organization's agenda reflects a form of cultural nationalism that may marginalize religious and cultural minorities within India's diverse society. On the other hand, supporters see SBAS as defending traditional values and ensuring that education aligns with the cultural ethos of the country.