Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai)

Row over non-inclusion of chapters in MP syllabus

- Shruti Tomar

BHOPAL: 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. For example, last November during protests against the film Padmavat, 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 said on condition of anonymity that there was little possibilit­y of the education department deciding on the issue until after the elections because of the model code of conduct. 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 fullfledge­d chapters on the same.

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 the announceme­nts and he makes the promises just for the immedi- ate political gains”, said state Congress spokespers­on Shobha Oza.

The BJP blamed the Congress for politicisi­ng the issue. 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...”

Madhya Pradesh Teachers’ Associatio­n general secretary Ashutosh Pandey said, “I haven’t seen any topic being added to the syllabus in the past five years. It is only a political stunt.” AIZAWL: Guidelines framed by the election commission’s model code of conduct define how elections are to be carried out across India. But in Mizoram, a churchspon­sored 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 northeaste­rn state, comprises church elders and members of three prominent organizati­ons 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 in the state signed an eight-point memorandum of understand­ing (MOU) with MPF .

“We issue guidelines for all elections held in Mizoram...,” said Rev. B Sangthanga, senior vice-president MPF. Mizoram goes to polls on November 28.

 ?? PTI FILE ?? An official said there was little possibilit­y of education department deciding on the issue until after the elections.
PTI FILE An official said there was little possibilit­y of education department deciding on the issue until after the elections.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India