Madhya Pradesh Minister Apologizes for Calling Raja Ram Mohan Roy a "British Agent"

Inder Singh Parmar has released a video statement on social media platform X expressing regret over his controversial remarks.

Bhopal's Higher Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar has issued a formal apology following widespread outrage over his characterization of renowned social reformer Raja Ram Mohan Roy as a "British agent." The minister now claims his statement was merely a "slip of tongue."

The controversial remarks were made during an event in Agar Malwa commemorating the 150th birth anniversary of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda. During his speech, Parmar alleged that Roy had acted "on British directions" and claimed that English education in Bengal had created a "vicious cycle" promoting religious conversion.

"During that era, missionary schools operated by the British were the primary educational institutions, where religious conversion activities were conducted. Birsa Munda also sought education, but upon recognizing the missionary agenda, he abandoned his schooling to join the movement against British colonialism," stated the BJP leader.

As criticism intensified across political and academic spheres, Parmar released a video message on Sunday stating, "While speaking about Bhagwan Birsa Munda's life, I inadvertently misinterpreted Raja Ram Mohan Roy. I deeply regret this mistake and offer my sincere apology."

He acknowledged that Raja Ram Mohan Roy was a "renowned" social reformer, adding, "I personally hold him in high regard. The statement was made unintentionally."

Despite his apology, the controversy continues to escalate. Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta condemned Parmar's remarks as not only factually incorrect but "an insult to India's reformist heritage."

"Should we consider the abolition of Sati also as some form of British collaboration? Those who actually maintained close ties with the British are now labeling our reformers as agents," Gupta remarked.

He further suggested that the minister's comments represent a troubling pattern of historical revisionism designed to align with specific "ideological narratives."

The academic community has firmly rejected these allegations, emphasizing that Roy's contributions—from abolishing Sati to advocating for women's rights and modern education—are widely recognized as foundational to India's social renaissance.

This incident is not Parmar's first brush with controversy. Previously, he claimed that India was not discovered by Vasco da Gama but rather by a merchant named Chandan, asserting that "we have been taught incorrect history." During a university convocation address, he maintained that the established historical narrative had been systematically distorted.

Parmar also faced scrutiny when his department mandated that both government and private colleges include 88 specific books in their libraries, many authored by individuals associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).