Distortion of facts: FIR against publishers, writers of controversial Class 12 history books

COMPLAINANT SAID THAT BOOKS CONTAIN REMARKS WHICH ARE NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH SIKH HISTORY

MOHALI: : Police here on Saturday registered an FIR against the writers and publishers of controversial class-12 history books for alleged distortion of facts.

The case was registered on a complaint of social activist Baldev Singh Sirsa, who alleged that the said books contain some remarks which are not in accordance with Sikh history.

The FIR has been registered under sections 295A ,153A, 504 and 120B of the Indian penal Code (IPC) at phase 4 police station in Mohali.

Those named in the FIR include Manijit Singh Sodhi (writer of Modern ABC of History of Punjab), Modern Publishers, Mahinder Pal Kaurmodern Book Depot, and MS Mann (Writer of History of Punjab)

Raj Publishers.

“The FIR had been registered but has left out many people including the publishers as well as the officials who had given approval to the books. The books are being published since 1998, so action should be against the writers, publishers along with the members of the review committee, academic council and board of directors, who approved the book,” Sirsa, president of Lok Bhalai Insaf Welfare Society, said.

Sirsa had been protesting outside the PSEB office in Mohali seeking action against those who allowed these books to be a part of the curriculum.

The Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) in its report on alleged distortions in a Class-12 history textbook, that is in use since 1998, had found “factual discrepancies” in it. The PSEB has banned three books related to the history of Punjab over distortion of facts. on the basis of an inquiry report submitted in March.

Former Punjab education minister Pargat Singh had ordered an inquiry after several organisations raised the issue about alleged distortion of facts in a history book for Class-12 students.