Days after Union HRD minister Smriti Irani kicked off a controversy by asking IITs to teach Sanskrit to its students, the minister has clarified that it was only an elective subject or language, for those who want to study it, and not compulsory for all. The minister issued the clarification on Thursday through a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. She also clarified that the decision was taken following the recommendations of a panel, chaired by former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami, which suggested the introduction of the language in the country's premier educational institutions would facilitate study of science and technology as reflected in Sanskrit literature.

"In consonance with the recommendations, IITs have been requested to offer Sanskrit as an elective subject or as a language course for students who wish to study the language," Irani said.

The announcement had come under heavy criticism from opposition calling it the government's move to saffroninze the education sector and an attempt to sneak in the agenda of the RSS.

“Irani wants IITs to teach Sanskrit texts to tech students. Is she serious? Would she go ahead and rename HRD as Hindu Rashtra Development Ministry,” eminent lawyer Prashant Bhushan had asked lashing out on Irani.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had mocked it in tweets, saying computer language should be declared "anti-national".

Defending the government's decision, BJP leader and former HRD minister Murli Manohar Joshi had claimed that "Sanskrit is the best language for IT."