Avadh Ojha, the well known UPSC educator recently joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in presence of Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia in Delhi. His entry into politics is not at all surprising as he had openly discussed his political ambitions and the fact that he was seeking a ticket during the Lok Sabha polls 2024.
However, the popular ‘reel’ UPSC educator has made his political choice abundantly clear which incidentally perfectly fits the mold of a party like AAP with the kind of uncouth and brazen violence, gun culture and terror sympathising remarks he often makes while educating IAS aspirants. The contentious remarks were no less than a disgrace to a civilised society like India which has been suffering insurmountable losses at the hands of terror activities.
Ojha joining AAP is nothing but the logical association of like minded entities indulging in bluff and bluster without any substance. Strikingly, the IAS aspirant community on record have spoken vehemently against his teaching style, going to even extent of dubbing him more of a reel educator than a real educator. Akin to the old adage, birds of a feather flock together, his association also rekindles the AAP overly used strategy of marketing without delivering on its promises of good governance.
Before moving further, here are a few excerpts, the UPSC educator had been imparting to an audience of IAS aspirants and the future of India’s steel frame.
In one of his videos, AAP leader Avadh Ojha was seen glorifying terrorist Osama bin Laden. He had said, “Osama Bin Laden knew whom he had to fight. He attacked America and demolished the Twin Towers. The world came to know his name. He slapped the United States of America in its home. It is an achievement. He only attacked once. This is called a dream. It does not matter the American forces picked him up from Abbottabad.”
His statement was even more shocking to hear, knowing that he said it in front of students who were aspiring to become civil servants. For those who argue that he was talking about the conviction of Laden, it must be noted here that those who can’t get one morally fit example to motivate students, are misfit to teach History, to say the least.
During this year’s Rau’s IAS Study Circle incident, Ojha came under widespread criticism for not joining the protests initiated by aspirants seeking justice for three students who lost their lives in the drowning incident. During the protest, one of the protestors exposed the reality of his teaching on camera. She said, “I have been his student in Next IAS. He does not teach history, he will just come and write four points.”
She further said, “Ojha sir used to come to class in shorts. When I complained, he laughed it off. He has no ethics, he only preaches and always talks about sex. My mother also saw it when online classes were going on.”
The girl’s allegations on Ojha’s over the top, callous and contentious teaching style also gains strength from the fact that he has often admitted, in fact, boasted about how mischievous and rowdy he had been during his school days. The way he glorifies his tendency of violence, katta, and gundai is sufficient enough for anyone to be outlawed from a virtuous profession like teaching.
While joining AAP, Ojha made tall claims that he will work for the betterment of education through politics. His sensibility towards students could also be understood by the Old Rajendra Nagar incident. While facing the heat of aspirants for not joining the protest, the loud mouth UPSC educator had said that among those who invited him, no one was willing to take responsibility or reveal their names. He added that he would have definitely gone if certain people had asked him directly.
His insensitive statement rubbed salt on the wounds of aspirants. People came down heavily upon him for his statement and argued why he needed an invitation at the outset and why was he expecting someone to reveal their name? As per reports, one of the users said, “Dont be two-faced, people expect more from you.”
His insensitive and reckless statements make up an entire list. In one of his class, he compared PM Modi with Islamic invader Muhammad Ghori. He launched a resentful tirade after the govt sieved out irrelevant portions of the Mughal chapters in History books.
Venting his anger, Ojha had said, “I don’t know for what Modiji is waiting, he should dissolve The Constitution. Now is the time for him to wear crown- Modi dynasty.”
He further said, “Mughal dynasty is already out of the chapter, at least we need to study one.”
After giving a thought for a second, he went far and said, “No issue, Mohd Ghori too had no child, his commanders were the only successors. New Parliament will become King’s palace.”
While the UPSC educator and motivator, claimed he has unflinching conviction to education, his political aspirations and opportunism took flight to an extent that he was negotiating with both Congress and the BJP – the ideological poll apart parties – at the same time.
In an interview, he had said, “I was asking ticket from Prayagraj from BJP and Amethi from Congress.”
Apparently, all he wanted is power and the bahubali like aura that he often idealises during his motivational speech to IAS aspirants.
Since he didn’t secure a ticket from either the BJP or Congress, he had no qualms in joining the AAP. Make no mistake—his entry into politics isn’t driven by a conviction for education but the ultimate display of opportunism. Nevertheless, his conviction in bringing radical changes to the country’s education system will be another leaf of AAP’s playbook on good governance and corruption.