Yogendra Upadhyaya has objected to the English nursery rhyme “Rain, Rain Go Away,” saying it conflicts with Indian cultural values and should not be included in school textbooks. Explaining his criticism while speaking to local media, the Uttar Pradesh minister argued that asking rain to go away for the sake of play does not align with Indian traditions, where rainfall is viewed as beneficial and sacred because it supports agriculture and livelihoods.
Questioning the message conveyed by the rhyme, Upadhyaya said, “What is this? Little Johnny wants to play, so he is asking the rain to go away. This is against our traditions. Our tradition is that rain should come because it benefits everyone. But here, for Little Johnny to play, they are asking the rain to leave. That is why it should be removed from textbooks.” His remarks come shortly after his criticism of another nursery rhyme, “Johnny, Johnny, Yes Papa.”
Earlier, while addressing teachers and education workers at Kanpur’s Merchant Chamber Hall, Upadhyaya had argued that “Johnny, Johnny Yes Papa” promotes dishonesty because the child lies to his father in the rhyme. Referring to India’s Guru-Shishya tradition, he said education should focus not only on academics but also on moral and cultural values. He urged teachers to guide students through lessons rooted in Indian traditions rather than relying solely on Western educational content.
The minister also contrasted English nursery rhymes with traditional Hindi poems taught to older generations, saying Indian literature carried stronger moral lessons and deeper cultural meaning. According to him, poems and stories in regional languages helped children develop values connected to honesty, respect, and collective welfare. He suggested that modern education should place greater emphasis on culturally rooted learning material.
The remarks have triggered debate over the role of nursery rhymes and foreign-language educational content in Indian schools. Critics argue that such rhymes are simple playful verses for children and should not be interpreted literally, while supporters of the minister believe educational material should better reflect Indian social and cultural contexts. The comments have once again brought discussions around curriculum content, language, and cultural identity into the public spotlight.
