We often confuse things and attempt to link them with ideologies, but in this case, it is simply not evident. – Dinesh Saklani Director of NCERT
NEW DELHI: Earlier this year, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) announced revisions to its textbooks for primary to senior secondary grade subjects, including substantial changes to the Political Science textbooks for classes 11 and 12.
The NCERT has faced intense criticism for its recent changes in textbooks, which have led to accusations of distorting historical events and promoting a biased narrative. The inclusion and exclusion of certain details, as well as the alteration of narratives, have sparked concerns about the “saffronisation” of educational material that is specifically intended for school curricula.
In a recent interview to the news agency Press Trust of India, Saklani when answering a question about allegations of saffronisation of the curriculum and subsequently the textbooks, said, “We mix up the things, we try to connect it with ideology. Where is the saffronisation? I don’t see anywhere.”
Objectivity is the spirit of history
Answering the question at hand about saffronisation of the curricula, he went on to explain, that particularly in the ambit of history, one has to deal with facts and interpretations; these two influence the production of historical knowledge. “This is false, this type of allegations. I don’t go by them,” he added.
The NCERT has made significant changes to its Class 12 Political Science textbook. One such instance is the reference to to the Babri Masjid, has now been renamed to a ‘three-domed structure,’ and shortened details about the Ayodhya dispute from four pages to two, as reported by multiple media outlets.
Additionally, according to the Council’s website, content is updated to reflect recent political developments. The revised text on Ayodhya is a result of the Supreme Court’s Constitutional bench verdict and its positive reception. The revised textbook omits references to the Babri Masjid demolition and Hindutva. Previously, it described the demolition in December 1992 and its impact on Indian politics, nationalism, and secularism. The updated content now focuses on the historical and cultural significance of Ayodhya, highlighting its role as the birthplace of Lord Ram and its importance in Hindu mythology. By removing references to the demolition and Hindutva, the Council aims to present a more neutral perspective on the subject.
The updated version focuses on the centuries-old legal and political dispute over the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, which influenced Indian politics and culminated in the construction of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya after the Supreme Court’s decision on November 9, 2019.
Elaborating on his answer, Saklani, in the interview to PTI, went on to say, “Interpretation is very subjective, we try to make history objective. In facts and evidences, if new evidences are coming out, it is ideal to accept and go by that.”
Speaking on allegations of saffronisation of the curricula
Sharing his take on the allegations of saffronisation, he said that the interpretation makes a huge difference. He added, “If I’m interpreting form a particular aspect, my viewpoint is something different. Another’s can be different. We welcome criticism.”
Professor Dinesh Prasad Saklani was appointed Director of NCERT in 2022, a national body tasked with providing academic and technical support to improve school education through its constituent units.
Saklani was a professor of ancient Indian history, culture, and archaeology at HNB Garhwal University in Uttarakhand before joining NCERT. He has written three books, one on the ancient communities of the central Himalayas and one on the Ramayana Tradition in Historical Perspective.
Reactions on textbook revision
Earlier, TOI had reported that the former chief advisors for political science textbooks, Suhas Palshikar and Yogendra Yadav, have threatened legal action against the NCERT. They expressed disappointment that their names were associated with textbooks they no longer support, despite prior requests for disassociation. Palshikar and Yadav argue that the revisions distort historical facts and jeopardise the academic credibility of NCERT’s educational materials. The former chief advisors contend that the revisions are a disservice to students and undermine the academic integrity of the textbooks. They are adamant that the distorted historical facts must be rectified to uphold the educational quality of NCERT materials.
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NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani defended the revisions, stating that they were based on expert recommendations to update outdated content and align with current legal perspectives. Saklani stressed the importance of keeping education relevant while adhering to constitutional principles. He also clarified that the changes were made to streamline information and reduce academic burden. Responding to claims of unsolicited changes, Saklani in the interview said, “(Even) if they are criticising it, I don’t see any saffronisation. I see that history is there to make people wise, not to create disharmony or hatred. We teach history for knowing about the facts.” The controversy surrounding the changes in textbooks sparked a heated debate among educationalists and politicians. Many argued that the revisions were an attempt to rewrite history to fit a particular narrative, while others supported the updates as necessary for a more balanced and accurate portrayal of historical events.
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