A joint training programme planned by Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) and a religious organisation, Prajapita Brahmakumari, has been cancelled. This decision follows strong opposition from the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS or ANIS), which raised concerns about the programme’s incompatibility with the Constitution’s emphasis on a scientific approach in education.
The university’s Registrar, Dilip Bharad, confirmed the cancellation. The programme, initially scheduled to take place from Jan 29, included a three-day training camp on “Mental Health and Wellness at the Workplace” in Hyderabad. A circular had been issued by the university encouraging the participation of teachers, officers and employees in the event.
ANIS strongly objected to the collaboration, citing the Constitution’s directive to foster a scientific temperament in education. They argued that partnering with a religious organisation that propagates superstitions contradicts these values. ANIS has consistently urged the university not to associate with such organisations or incorporate their unscientific beliefs into the academic framework.
In a formal statement, ANIS described the training camp as contrary to the goals and objectives of education and demanded its cancellation. The protest was led by principal secretary Dr Thaksen Gorane, state executive Krishna Chandgude, state officer Pralhad Mistry, and district executive Mahendra Datarange. Their efforts ultimately proved successful, with the university agreeing to terminate the programme and commit to avoiding similar collaborations in the future.
Furthermore, the university has pledged to organise an alternative training camp on mental health and workplace wellness, focusing on a scientific approach. This decision aligns with ANIS’s recommendation to ensure that educational initiatives adhere to constitutional principles and promote scientific reasoning.
