The decision of maharashtra government to introduce basic military training from class 1 in schools is problematic and violative of the innocence of their tender age. The government claims it would promote patriotism, discipline and physical fitness among the students. This is a violent and political notion of patriotism. Patriotism is not learnt in drills but developed by experiencing the beauty of its lands and traditions of the communities, and also when there is a unity of individual and collective interests. Similarly discipline is a function of prioritization and therefore is developed through better value and moral instruction especially when led by example by the teachers, parents and leaders.
The move stems from the RSS dictum of “militarization of Hindus and hinduization of the military “. It is antithetical to both democracy and national integration. The miniature of life that is sports and play, where a child learns the rules of life cannot be replaced by a forced drill devoid of all agency and spirit.
The young minds need to imbibe the tastes of arts and the aesthetics of good. They need all the leisure possible. Subjecting them to regimental discipline would cause irretrievable damage to their faculties and lead to a deficient society.
Assault on innocence
