The National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has sparked debate with its revised Class 12 political science textbook. The new version omits references to several sensitive topics, including the Babri Masjid demolition, Hindutva ideology, the 2002 Gujarat riots, and discussions on minorities in India. This revision adds to a string of recent textbook modifications concerning potentially controversial subjects.
The changes primarily affect Chapter 8, titled “Recent Developments in Indian Politics.” Previously, this chapter discussed the Babri Masjid issue and its connection to the rise of Hindutva politics. The revised version now focuses solely on the Ram Janmabhoomi temple movement and its culmination in the temple’s construction following a Supreme Court verdict.
Similarly, a reference to the Gujarat riots, previously included in a news collage caption within Chapter 5 on “Democratic Rights,” has been removed. The NCERT reportedly justifies these omissions by stating the issues have been addressed through the legal system and are no longer considered “relevant in the present context.”
In chapter 8, Recent Developments in Indian Politics, references to the “Ayodhya demolition” was dropped.
“What is the legacy of the Ram Janambhoomi movement and the Ayodhya demolition for the nature of political mobilisation?” was changed to “What is the legacy of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement?”
“To bring the initial questions in synchronisation with internal latest changes made in the chapter,” was the rationale offered by the body.
This move has drawn criticism from some educators and rights activists. They argue that a comprehensive understanding of Indian politics necessitates acknowledging these historical events and their ongoing social and political ramifications. Omitting them creates an incomplete picture and potentially sanitizes the narrative.
In a chapter titled Gender, Religion and Caste, a line that said, “Human rights groups in our country have agreed that most of the victims of the communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities” was changed to, “Human rights groups in our country have demanded that the government should take special steps to prevent communal riots and protect religious minorities.”
In another chapter titled “Secularism”, the new book changed the phrasing of a sentence describing the 2002 riot victims.
“More than 1,000 persons, mostly Muslims, were massacred during the post Godhra riots in Gujarat in 2002,” was changed to “more than 1,000 persons were killed during the post Godhra riots in Gujarat in 2002.”
“In any riots people across communities suffer. It cannot be just one community,” was the reason for the change given by NCERT.
However, supporters of the revision contend that focusing on settled legal outcomes provides a neutral and objective perspective. They also argue that dwelling on past controversies might inflame tensions.
The debate reflects the ongoing challenge of balancing historical accuracy with social sensitivity in educational materials. NCERT maintains that the revisions aim to streamline the curriculum and reduce student workload. However, the concerns regarding the potential for historical whitewashing remain.
The coming months will likely see further discussion on the revised curriculum and its implications for how future generations understand Indian politics. Finding a balance between factual accuracy, social sensitivity, and fostering critical thinking skills will be crucial in shaping a well-rounded educational experience.
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