Raj Class 8 reference book terms Tilak ‘father of terrorism’
Rajasthan text-books never cease to stir up controversy. Now, a reference book for social studies for Class 8 describes Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak as ‘father of terrorism’. The book, by a Mathurabased publisher, is used by English-medium private schools affiliated to the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE), which publishes text books only in Hindi.
The book on social studies for Class 8 mentions Tilak on page 267 of chapter 22 under the heading ‘Incidents of National Movement during Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century’. Describing the independence struggle, the book reads, “Tilak demonstrated a path towards national movement, therefore, he is called as the father of terrorism.”
The reference book says, “He clearly believed that ‘we cannot achieve anything just by pleading the British officers’. Through Shivaji and Ganpati festivals, Tilak aroused unique awareness in the country. He instilled the mantra of freedom among the masses, due to which he became a thorn in the eyes of British.”
An official of the Student Advisor Publication Private Limited, which publishes the book, said the reference book is strictly as per the guidelines provided by the board. “The book is being used by schools affiliated to both the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) as well as the
AJMER:
RBSE,” said Mukesh Yadav over telephone from Mathura.
Historians say it is derogatory to call Tilak father of terrorism. “Tilak is one of the greatest soldiers of Indian freedom struggle who awakened the masses, especially in Maharashtra, to fight against the British rule,” said NK Upadhyay, retired history professor at Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer.
Another historian Pramila Poonia, too, called the description misplaced. “The British called him ‘father of Indian unrest’ but for us Indians, he was a great nationalist. He was the one who first pushed the ideas of boycott of English goods and use of swadeshi goods,” said Poonia, an associate professor of history at University of Rajasthan.
Asked about the allegedly objectionable description of Tilak, Madhu Goyal, principal of Harilela Khubani Harjani Public School, said, “I am not aware about the fact as I have joined the school on May 8. I will look into the matter and appropriate action will be taken.”