A new split or separation.

At a recent gathering in Udaipur's Bhupal Nobles' University, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made a statement that caused quite a stir. He referred to the 'educated' citizens of the country as the masterminds behind what he deemed as "white-collar terrorism". Many believe that the Minister was alluding to the doctors involved in the Delhi bomb blast that occurred in November of last year. The fact that this remark came from one of the most senior ministers of the government is quite concerning, as it reflects a trend that has been prevalent since 2014. It seems that there is a deliberate effort to control higher education, limit academic activities in prestigious institutions, and suppress free thinking. It is unfortunate that critical thinking has been deemed taboo in the current ideology of rulers, not just in India, but in many countries around the world. The powers that be in Delhi, who were once responsible for coining the term "Urban Naxals" to demonize and persecute urban-centric public intellectuals who dared to question government actions and decisions, have now come up with a new tactic. They seek to vilify and discredit education and the educated before ultimately eradicating them, in an attempt to create a society of uneducated individuals. Looking back at the past decade in India, it is clear that division has been the driving force behind many political moves. During elections, the focus is often on stirring up the divide between Hindus and Muslims, which has been quite successful in garnering votes. Then came the division between the rich and poor during the Demonetization period, with repeated claims that only the wealthy had black money to lose, and the poor had nothing to worry about. After elections, the focus shifted to the divide between upper and lower castes. During interim periods, the divide has been between Hindi and non-Hindi speakers, or between Indians and Khalistanis during the farmers' agitation. Supporters of the ruling party are portrayed as nationalists, while the opposition is labeled as anti-national. Looking at the country from a historical perspective, the government's narrative is that everything the citizens built with their own hard work and sacrifices was wrong, and it is only since 2014 that things have been set right. These divisions may seem insignificant to some, but the depth of such social fragmentation should never be underestimated. In most societies, it is the educated who are seen as agents of change and modernity, who fight against obscurantism and dogmatism. However, it is important to note that being educated does not simply mean having a degree or diploma. It is those who can think critically and question the government's actions and policies that are being targeted here. Unfortunately, it is often the literate who are more concerned with their own selfish interests and have little time or inclination to think about the greater good. Their very existence has been threatened by a failing economic system, as seen in decisions like Demonetization. Yet, they are the ones who lead the crowds, chanting and waving flags. On the other hand, the illiterate, though more in number, often act out of their gut feelings or basic needs such as hunger. This new tirade against the 'educated' may be an attempt to demonize those who think and question, and could signal the beginning of yet another divide in society. It is worth noting that, unlike in the past, the government and the Defence Minister refrained from blaming Pakistan for the Delhi bomb blast. This is quite interesting, especially considering that Operation Sindoor was said to still be ongoing. This raises questions about the government's responsibility and failure to prevent such a tragic event. It is possible that the Minister's statement was an attempt to deflect attention from his own failures. He, along with the Union Home Minister, should be held accountable for their failure to prevent the bomb blast at the Red Fort on November 10th, 2025.