The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has removed references to the Gujarat riots from its social science textbooks for classes 6-12. The decision has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from academics and activists.
The move was made after a review of the textbooks revealed that the references to the Gujarat riots were not in line with the government’s policy on the issue. The decision to remove the references was taken by the NCERT’s textbook development committee, which is responsible for reviewing and revising the textbooks.
The Gujarat riots, which took place in 2002, were a series of violent incidents that resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people, mostly Muslims. The riots were sparked by the burning of a train in Godhra, which killed 59 Hindu pilgrims. The riots have been a subject of much controversy and debate, with many accusing the state government of complicity in the violence.
The decision to remove the references to the Gujarat riots from the NCERT textbooks has drawn criticism from academics and activists, who argue that it is an attempt to whitewash history and silence dissent. They argue that the riots are an important part of India’s history and must be included in the textbooks.
The NCERT has defended the decision, saying that the references were removed to ensure that the textbooks are in line with the government’s policy on the issue. The council has also stated that the decision was taken after a thorough review of the textbooks and that it is not an attempt to censor history.
The controversy over the removal of the references to the Gujarat riots from the NCERT textbooks is likely to continue, with many arguing that it is an attempt to rewrite history and erase the memory of a tragic event in India’s recent past. The decision has also raised questions about the role of the government in shaping the country’s education system and the importance of academic freedom in a democracy.