New Delhi witnessed a significant update in the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) class 8 social science textbook, which was revised following a controversy over its alleged defamation of the judiciary. Released this week, the new edition of the textbook, titled ‘Exploring Society: India and Beyond’, has dropped the disputed portions and introduced fresh content. The changes include a revised version of the Congress’ position on Partition in 1947, stating that its acceptance as the only way forward remains a matter of debate. Additionally, the new textbook includes VD Savarkar’s demand for Swaraj in 1925, while removing references to Adolf Hitler and Nazi ideology.
The revised textbook also expands on the story of the demand for complete independence and adds that a similar demand for Swaraj was expressed by VD Savarkar. The history chapter, ‘India’s Long Road to Independence’, now states that Partition was ‘widely opposed even by the Indian National Congress’ and that whether accepting it was ‘the only way forward’ remains a matter of debate. The Supreme Court had intervened in February, imposing a ‘complete blanket ban’ on the publication, reprinting, or digital dissemination of the said textbook due to its ‘offending’ content on corruption in the judiciary.
The revised edition has been published pursuant to the review process undertaken in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court. The acknowledgements section states that Chapter 4, ‘The Role of the Judiciary in Society’, was ‘rewritten’ by an expert committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Education following the apex court’s order. The development team for the revised edition has also been updated, with three names dropped from the original list of 51 members.
Image for illustration purposes only
📰 Source: Siasat Gulf