Introduction
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in India has recently implemented significant modifications to its Class 12 political science textbooks. These changes reflect a shift in the presentation of historical events and political issues, particularly concerning sensitive topics such as border disputes, regional conflicts, and national integration.
NCERT has made final changes to its Class 12 Political Science textbook syllabus for the upcoming academic year. (File photo)
Revisions Concerning India-Pakistan Relations:
One of the most notable changes in the NCERT textbooks involves the terminology used to describe contested territories between India and Pakistan. In the textbook "Politics In India since Independence - Class 12", the phrase "Azad Pakistan" has been replaced with "Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir" (POJK).
Previously, the textbook stated: "India claims that this area is under illegal occupation. Pakistan describes this area as 'Azad Pakistan'." The revised version now reads: "However, it is the Indian territory which is under illegal occupation of Pakistan called Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK)." This alteration aligns with the current Indian government's stance on the issue. NCERT has justified this change, stating that it "is in complete concurrence with the latest position of the Government of India in regard to Jammu and Kashmir."
Updates on India-China Relations
The textbooks have also been updated to reflect recent tensions between India and China. In Chapter 2 of "Contemporary World Politics", a section on India-China relations has been modified to emphasize Chinese aggression. The original text read: "However, military conflict over a border dispute between the two countries marred that hope." This has been changed to: "However, Chinese aggression on the Indian border has marred that hope." This revision underscores the shift in India's diplomatic stance towards China, reflecting recent border conflicts and geopolitical tensions.
Inclusion of Article 370 Abrogation
A significant addition to the textbooks is the inclusion of information about the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. On page 132 of the revised textbook, the following changes have been made:
The earlier version stated: "While most of the states have equal powers, there are special provisions for some states like J&K and the states in the North-East."
This has been updated to: "While most of the states have equal powers, there are special provisions for some states like J&K and the states in the North-East. However, Article 370, which contains special provisions for J&K, was abrogated in August 2019."
NCERT has provided a rationale for this addition, stating: "The special provision, Article 370 of J&K was revoked in August 2019 by the President of India. A link to the updated information has been given."
Revisions Related to Communal Conflicts
Several changes have been made to the portrayal of communal conflicts in India, particularly concerning the Gujarat riots of 2002 and the Ayodhya dispute.
Gujarat Riots
In the Class 11 chapter on Secularism, references to the killing of Muslims during the Gujarat riots have been modified. The original text, which stated that over 1,000 people, predominantly Muslims, were killed, has been changed to "more than 1,000 persons were killed during the post-Godhra riots in Gujarat in 2002." Additionally, a reference to the Gujarat riots was removed from Chapter 5, titled "Democratic Rights."
Ayodhya Dispute
Significant revisions have been made regarding the Ayodhya dispute. The textbooks no longer contain references to:
- The BJP's rath yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya
- The involvement of Kar Sevaks
- Communal unrest following the Babri Masjid demolition
- Imposition of President's rule in BJP-led states during that period
Furthermore, references to Hindutva have been omitted from the textbooks.
Other Historical and Cultural Revisions
The NCERT has made several other notable changes to the textbooks:
- A two-page table detailing the accomplishments of Mughal emperors (Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb) has been removed.
- Information about the discovery of ancient DNA at Rakhigarhi, a site of the Indus Valley Civilization in Haryana, has been altered. The new text suggests a need for further investigation into the relationship between the Harappans and Vedic people, dismissing theories of Aryan immigration.
- Adjustments have been made regarding the emergency declared during Indira Gandhi's tenure, and certain references relating to her assassination have been erased.
Rationale and Controversy
These revisions have sparked debate about the potential "saffronisation" of the school curriculum. NCERT director Dinesh Prasad Saklani has defended the changes, arguing that modifying references to events like the Gujarat riots and the Babri Masjid demolition aims to prevent the creation of "violent and despondent citizens." Saklani stated, "Should we teach our students in a manner that they become offensive, create hatred in society or become victims of hatred? Is that education's purpose? Should we teach about riots to such young children ... when they grow up, they can learn about it but why school textbooks. Let them understand what happened and why it happened when they grow up. The hue and cry about the changes is irrelevant."
Implications and Significance
The revisions made by NCERT have far-reaching implications, as these textbooks are used not only in CBSE-affiliated schools across India and internationally but also serve as essential study material for various national-level competitive examinations, including CUET, NEET, JEE, and UPSC.
These changes reflect a shift in how historical events and political issues are presented to students, potentially influencing their understanding of India's history, politics, and international relations.
Conclusion
The recent revisions to NCERT textbooks represent a significant shift in the presentation of historical and political content in Indian education. These changes, covering topics from territorial disputes to communal conflicts, reflect the complex interplay between education, politics, and national narrative. As these textbooks play a crucial role in shaping the knowledge and perspectives of millions of students, the implications of these revisions are likely to be far-reaching. The ongoing debate surrounding these changes highlights the challenges of balancing historical accuracy, political sensitivities, and educational objectives in a diverse and complex society like India.
ความคิดเห็น