Leaders from various political parties have expressed strong opinions regarding the National Council of Educational Research and Training’s (NCERT) updated Class 8 Social Science textbook. The textbook’s statement that the Congress accepted the 1947 Partition as “the only way forward” has sparked a fresh debate on how history is taught in India.
Senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi criticized the Congress, accusing them of distorting historical facts over the years. Naqvi emphasized that the Congress party’s history is tainted, and it is time for the true narrative, including the contributions of national figures, to be brought to light for the nation and future generations.
RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha highlighted the need to understand the context of the events surrounding Partition. He referenced Mahatma Gandhi’s perspective, noting the extraordinary circumstances faced by leaders at that time. Jha emphasized the challenges and sacrifices made during the freedom struggle, particularly the Congress leadership’s role.
Bihar minister Ashok Choudhary, from the Janata Dal-United, described Partition as a deeply painful chapter in history. He recalled the immense suffering caused by partitions and the heartbreaking scenes of people migrating. Choudhary also noted that NCERT’s revised textbook presents history from its own viewpoint, reflecting on the tragic events of the past.
The updated textbook, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, revisits significant historical incidents such as the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the 1946 Direct Action Day, with a more extensive discussion on Partition. These revisions have sparked a broader political discussion on historical interpretations, academic independence, and the portrayal of India’s freedom struggle to younger audiences.
