NCERT books not to call ’02 Gujarat riots antiMuslim
NEW NOMENCLATURE CBSE review committee’s decision aimed at preventing spread of ‘wrong information’ among students
Another change in nomenclature in NCERT books has taken place as the NDA apparently seeks to change perceptions of contemporary events.
The 2002 riots in Gujarat where Muslims bore the brunt of violence will no longer be termed as anti-Muslim riots in NCERT books. They will be mentioned as ‘Gujarat riots’, in line with the recommendation of a course review committee consisting of CBSE and NCERT officials.
The book was published in 2007 during the UPA’s tenure.
“Points raised by CBSE have already been taken up by NCERT. Changes will be made and it will be reflected once the book is reprinted by the end of the year. At the same time, NCERT itself is carrying out a review of all the books to ensure all the latest developments are included,” a senior NCERT official told HT.
In a chapter titled “Politics in India since Independence” (page 187) in the Class XII political science textbook, there is a passage on “anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat”. “In February-March 2002, large-scale violence against Muslims took place in Gujarat …. A bogey of a train that was returning from Ayodhya and was full of karsevaks was set on fire. 57 people died in that fire. Suspecting the hands of the Muslims in setting fire to the bogey, large-scale violence against Muslims began in many parts of Gujarat...” the passage reads.
It also talks about the NHRC criticising the Gujarat govern- ment’s role in failing to control violence and provide relief to the victims.
According to the minutes of the May 11 meeting, it was decided that the heading - Anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat, should be changed to Gujarat riots. Representatives of the CBSE, NCERT and few teachers had attended the review meeting.
“This review is an ongoing process and before every reprint we do incorporate new acceptable feedback and also update the information. This year we are doing it in a more planned and comprehensive manner,” said a senior NCERT official.
Sources said it was felt that the subtitle was spreading wrong information among students as the passage talks about Gujarat riots in totality including Godhra.
Sources said the CBSE on conducted an internal scrutiny of the books on its own and sent a report to the NCERT following which the review meeting was called. And not everybody is happy with it. “It is surprising that when efforts are being made to make NCERT books more readily available suddenly the CBSE has started picking faults with it,” said a teacher.