Pictured: Dr. Shankar Sharan, Professor, Political Science at NCERT, New Delhi
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education met on January 13 to discuss the much-needed revision of the current National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) history textbooks in schools. The panel deliberated over the arguments presented by the ex-NCERT director JS Rajput and Professor at the NCERT Shankar Sharan, as well as representatives of the Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal (BSM) and the Shiksha Sanskriti Nyas (SSN). Both BSM and SSN are affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Director of NCERT, CBSE Chairman and Secretary of School Education were also present at the meeting.
Representatives of the BSM and SSN submitted to the committee that the publication agency should be able to provide proof and evidence of what is said in the textbooks. They also added that colonial myths and their reality, like the now-dismissed Aryan Invasion Theory, should be discussed in the books too.
Earlier, The Commune had reported on how the NCERT’s history textbooks are actively promoting false historical narratives, thus whitewashing and engaging in a systematic negation of Mughal atrocities on Hindus.
The panel had convened to chiefly discuss the need to remove “references to un-historical facts and distortions about our national heroes”, to ensure “proportionate references to all periods of Indian history” and to “highlight the role of great women in Indian history”.
During the debate over the necessity for change in the history syllabus, former NCERT director JS Rajput and representatives of BSM told the committee that current history textbooks in schools are not doing justice to the subcontinent’s contribution in cultural, artistic advances and a lot of other topics. It sparsely mentions the role of Indian rulers including the Cholas and Pandyas, which has resulted in the distortion of ancient Indian history.
“It has been over two decades since textbook reforms have been discussed at the platform of a Parliamentary Committee. We thought it fit to apply our mind considering the new National Education Policy is in place and new syllabus is being written,” senior BJP leader and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education Vinay Sahasrabuddhe told reporters.
In the meeting, the Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal stressed that history textbooks should be written bearing in mind the civilisational development of India – from the Vedic era to the present; comparison of “scientific temper” with other civilisations on a scientific and objective basis; the linking Indian languages and India’s cultural unity and linguistic heritage, including Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit languages and their international spread and influence; India and its cultural boundaries; influence of Indian civilisation in other parts of the world; ensuring a proper place for “religio-cultural emissaries” from India; the history of sacrifices of various segments of Indian society for preserving cultural values; and, social inclusion.
The representatives of the Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal and the Shiksha Sanskriti Nyas also asserted the urgency to rectify the influence of Marxist historians on Indian textbooks.
The revision of the curriculum framework for school education is being done after 15 years.