MUMBAI — In a sharp escalation of political opposition to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday publicly endorsed a protest led by the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The move intensifies scrutiny of the central government’s handling of education reforms, which critics allege have deepened inequalities and sidelined state governments in policy decisions.
Addressing a rally in Mumbai, Thackeray accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government of ignoring concerns from educators, students, and civil society groups. “The NEP was promised as a revolution in education, but it has only brought chaos,” he said, according to reports in the Indian Express. “The government has turned a deaf ear to those who matter most—teachers and students.” Thackeray’s remarks come as Maharashtra’s political landscape remains volatile, with his party positioning itself as a key opposition force against the BJP.
The CJP, a Mumbai-based human rights organization, has emerged as a vocal critic of the NEP’s implementation, organizing protests across Maharashtra and other states. The group alleges that the policy has accelerated the privatization of education, marginalized underprivileged students, and centralized decision-making at the expense of state autonomy. In a statement released last week, the CJP claimed that the NEP’s “one-size-fits-all approach” fails to account for regional disparities in infrastructure, language, and socioeconomic conditions. The organization has also filed petitions in the Supreme Court, challenging provisions of the policy on grounds that they violate constitutional guarantees of equality and access to education.
What Happened
Thackeray’s endorsement of the CJP protest marks a strategic alignment between opposition parties and civil society groups in challenging the central government’s education agenda. The rally in Mumbai drew hundreds of participants, including educators, students, and activists, who echoed concerns about the NEP’s impact on public education. Videos shared on social media showed protesters holding placards with slogans such as “NEP = Neo-Education Privatization” and “Save Public Education.”
The BJP, however, has dismissed the criticism as politically motivated. An unnamed party spokesperson told the Indian Express that the NEP is a “historic reform” designed to modernize India’s education system. “Opposition parties are spreading misinformation to create unrest ahead of elections,” the spokesperson said. “The NEP is a game-changer that will equip India’s youth with 21st-century skills.”
Pradhan, who has been at the center of the controversy, has not directly responded to Thackeray’s demand for his resignation. In previous statements, however, he has defended the policy, arguing that it fosters innovation and flexibility in learning. In a June 2026 interview with The Hindu, Pradhan stated, “The NEP is not about privatization; it is about empowering students with choices. We are working to ensure that no child is left behind.”
Why It Matters
The NEP 2020, approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2020, represents the first major overhaul of India’s education system in over three decades. Its key provisions include a shift to a 5+3+3+4 school structure (replacing the 10+2 system), the introduction of mother-tongue instruction at the primary level, and greater emphasis on vocational training and digital learning. The policy also encourages public-private partnerships in education and grants universities greater autonomy in curriculum design.
However, the rollout has been marred by controversy. Critics argue that the policy’s emphasis on privatization could exacerbate educational inequalities, particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged regions. A 2025 report by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) found that nearly 30% of government schools in India lack basic infrastructure, including electricity and drinking water, raising concerns about the feasibility of implementing the NEP’s digital learning components.
The demand for Pradhan’s resignation also reflects broader discontent with the central government’s approach to federalism. Several state governments, including those led by opposition parties, have accused the BJP of bypassing consultations with state education boards. In April 2026, the Tamil Nadu government filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, arguing that the NEP’s language provisions undermine the state’s two-language policy. The Kerala government has similarly resisted the policy’s implementation, citing concerns over centralization.
Background and Context
The NEP 2020 was drafted by a committee led by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K. Kasturirangan and was approved after multiple rounds of public consultation. However, critics argue that the final policy deviated significantly from the committee’s recommendations, particularly in its approach to privatization and language instruction.
The CJP’s legal challenge to the NEP centers on three key provisions:
1. Mother-Tongue Instruction: The policy mandates that primary education be imparted in a child’s mother tongue or regional language. Critics argue that this could disadvantage students in states where Hindi is not the dominant language, particularly in southern India.
2. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): The NEP encourages private sector participation in education, which opponents claim could lead to commercialization and reduced access for marginalized communities.
3. Centralization of Governance: The policy establishes a new regulatory body, the National Education Commission (NEC), which critics say undermines the authority of state education boards.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear the CJP’s petitions in September 2026. Legal experts suggest that the court’s ruling could set a precedent for the balance of power between the central and state governments in education policy.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty
The debate over the NEP reflects deeper ideological divisions over the role of the state in education. Proponents of the policy argue that it is necessary to align India’s education system with global standards and address gaps in skill development. A 2025 study by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) found that the NEP’s emphasis on vocational training could help reduce youth unemployment, which stood at 10.5% in 2024-25.
However, opponents contend that the policy’s market-driven approach risks sidelining public education. A report by the All India Forum for Right to Education (AIFRTE) claimed that the NEP’s provisions could lead to the closure of nearly 200,000 government schools over the next decade, disproportionately affecting rural and tribal communities. The report cited data from the Ministry of Education, which showed a 12% decline in government school enrollments between 2020 and 2025.
There is also uncertainty about the policy’s financial implications. The NEP 2020 calls for increased public spending on education, targeting 6% of GDP. However, India’s education budget has remained stagnant at around 3.1% of GDP since 2020, according to data from the Ministry of Finance. Critics argue that without adequate funding, the policy’s goals are unattainable.
What to Watch Next
1. Supreme Court Ruling: The outcome of the CJP’s petitions could force the government to amend or clarify key provisions of the NEP. A ruling in favor of the petitioners could embolden other states to challenge the policy.
2. State Elections: Maharashtra is scheduled to hold assembly elections in October 2026, and the NEP is likely to emerge as a key campaign issue. Thackeray’s alliance with the CJP could galvanize opposition to the BJP, particularly among educators and students.
3. Implementation Challenges: The central government has set a 2030 deadline for full implementation of the NEP. However, logistical hurdles, including teacher training and infrastructure development, remain significant. The Ministry of Education’s progress reports will be closely scrutinized.
4. Pradhan’s Response: The education minister’s next public statements could either defuse or escalate the controversy. If he addresses the resignation demand directly, it may signal the government’s willingness to engage with critics.
Conclusion
Uddhav Thackeray’s backing of the CJP protest underscores the growing political and social resistance to the NEP 2020. While the BJP has framed the policy as a transformative reform, critics argue that its implementation has been rushed and exclusionary. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the government can address these concerns or whether the NEP will become a flashpoint in India’s broader debate over federalism and social equity.
As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the CJP’s petitions, the fate of the NEP hangs in the balance. For now, the policy remains a symbol of the tensions between centralization and state autonomy, privatization and public good, and the promises of reform versus the realities of implementation.
Story synopsis gathered from: [Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-live-updates-13-july-2026-breaking-news-10783687/) — source.
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Story synopsis gathered from: Indian Express – India — source.
