New Delhi, June 25: The inclusion of a chapter on ‘Emergency’ in the NCERT Class 9 textbooks has sparked a heated political debate. Leaders from the Congress, RJD, and Samajwadi Party have raised questions regarding this decision, targeting both the central government and NCERT. Opposition parties allege that there is an attempt to present education and history from a political perspective.
Congress Rajya Sabha member J.B. Mathur questioned whether NCERT remembers the significant roles played by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Subhas Chandra Bose in the struggle for independence. He raised concerns about whether discussions will now extend to these names and if the Indian history taught from childhood will be altered.
Mathur emphasized the importance of preserving the concepts of sacrifice and non-violence associated with Mahatma Gandhi. He expressed fears that NCERT might present a distorted version of history.
Congress leader Jaiwardhan Singh criticized the BJP, stating that its policies create confusion among the public and distract from real issues. He noted that the youth of the country desires quality education and employment, regardless of whether they are studying through NCERT, CBSE, or state boards. Singh accused the BJP of politicizing children’s textbooks, asserting that Congress never played politics with children’s futures during its decades in power.
Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput also questioned the inclusion of chapters related to the Vedas in the Class 9 textbook. He alleged that the current government is promoting its own praise and that the influence of the BJP, RSS, and affiliated organizations on constitutional institutions is growing. He warned against the promotion of religious thinking over scientific reasoning and emphasized the push to teach children about the Vedas.
RJD MP Sudhakar Singh remarked that the ruling government teaches history from its own perspective, which is not new. He stated that when their government comes to power, they too will implement changes. Singh accused the current administration of miseducating children and criticized Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for failing to address issues like paper leaks, questioning how he could develop a better curriculum.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Fakhrul Hasan Chand stated that the country has never forgiven Congress for the Emergency and that many questions still remain. However, he asserted that the BJP lacks the moral authority to question Congress regarding the Emergency.
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