Bhubaneswar: Amid controversy over the inclusion of Rajasthani folk song ‘Nimbuda’ in a school textbook, Odisha School and Mass Education (S&ME) Minister Nityananda Gond has defended the decision, accusing the Opposition parties of creating unnecessary confusion without understanding the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP).

Speaking at an event in Nabarangpur, the minister said the inclusion of Nimbuda, a traditional folk song from Rajasthan, was intended to familiarise students with the diverse folk traditions and cultural heritage of different states across the country.

“The National Education Policy encourages students to learn about India's rich cultural diversity, and the song has been included in the textbook as an example of a folk composition that has gained widespread popularity in recent times,” said the minister

Responding to the criticisms from Opposition parties, Gond alleged that they were politicising the issue without reading the textbook or understanding the facts. He also said the state government had already initiated action against against those responsible for errors identified in the textbooks.

The minister further claimed that the Opposition was unable to accept the successful implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) in Odisha and was therefore resorting to misinformation.