GNDU Row: IKS Curriculum Sparks Sikh Identity Clash
Student groups at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) staged a protest on August 4, 2025, against the alleged intrusion of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideology into the university curriculum. Their primary concern centers around the integration of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) under the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020).
The protesting students argue that the IKS curriculum contradicts core tenets of Sikhism and threatens the university’s distinct identity. They voiced strong concerns about what they see as an attempt to impose a particular worldview.
GNDU Vice-Chancellor, however, refuted these claims. He clarified that the IKS modules are entirely optional and form part of the elective courses offered under NEP 2020. No student is compelled to participate, he asserted.
This incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding the implementation of NEP 2020 and the perceived influence of external ideologies on educational institutions. The controversy underscores the need for transparent curriculum development and open dialogue to address concerns about religious and cultural sensitivities within the academic framework. The future of IKS integration in universities across India now faces intense scrutiny, with implications for both academic freedom and communal harmony.
