Row over non-inclusion of chapters in MP syllabus
Promises made by the Madhya Pradesh government to include chapters on a wide range of topics, from the ‘Gita saar’ (essence of Bhagwad Gita), to Jana Sangh founder Deendayal Upadhyaya and the valour of legendary Rajput queen Rani Padmavati in the school syllabus has stoked a political controversy in the poll-bound state.
Government officials say despite assurances from senior ministers, no chapters have been included on these topics in the state’s school syllabus. The opposition Congress, which is looking to come back to power in the state after 15 years, says the episode shows the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not fulfill its promises.
Over the past few years, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has promised to include a number of things in the syllabi. Last November during protests against the film Padmaavat, he called Padmavati “Rashtramata” (mother of the country) and announced the inclusion of a chapter on her in school syllabi. But school books this year feature no such chapter.
A state government official requesting anonymity said that there was little possibility of the education department deciding on the issue until after the elections because of the poll code. The CM had also announced chapters on Adi Shankracharya, Narmada river and Saint Ravidas, but it hasn’t materialised. As per government officials, since there are already references on the three in the syllabus, there may not be full-fledged chapters.
The Congress says this proves the government is not serious about its promises. “The CM is in habit of making announcements and bureaucracy is in habit of overlooking it as the latter knows the CM is not serious about it...”, said state Congress spokesperson Shobha Oza.
School education minister Vijay Shah said, “Every process takes time to be completed. We have a text book committee that approves every topic to be included in the syllabus and that’s why there may be some delay.” State BJP chief spokesperson Deepak Vijayavargiya said, “The Congress is in habit of politicising every issue...”
MP Teachers’ Association general secretary Ashutosh Pandey said, “I haven’t seen any topic being added...in the past 5 years. It is only a political stunt.”
Guidelines framed by the election commission’s poll code define how elections are to be carried out across India. But in Mizoram, a church-sponsored poll watchdog has been trying to ensure free and fair polls.
Mizoram People’s Forum (MPF), an independent body formed in 2006 by Mizoram Presbyterian Church Synod, the largest Christian denomination in the state, comprises church elders and members of three prominent organisations of women, senior citizens and young people. As per 2011 census, over 87% of Mizoram’s total population of 1.12 million are made up by Christians. The Mizoram Presbyterian Church (MPC) has nearly 600,000 followers and 1,097 churches across the state.
Last month, leaders of eight national and regional parties contesting the coming assembly polls signed an eight-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) with MPF . “We issue guidelines for all elections held in Mizoram...,” said Rev B Sangthanga, seniorvice-presidentMPF. Mizoram goes to polls on November 28.
UTPAL PARASHAR
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