India: NCERT drops 'objectionable' references from school history textbooks

From: The Times of India

by Himanshi Dhawan, TNN | May 24, 2013, 07.24 AM IST

NEW DELHI: In a significant sanitization exercise, the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has made changes in its history textbooks dropping ``objectionable'' references to the Nadar community, depiction of angels in human form and introducing more sensitive coinages to caste to smoothen ruffled feathers of political leaders. The changes have been made in history books of class VIII, IX, XI and XII that will be used in this academic session.

While the Shahi Imam of Fatehpuri Mosque, Mohd Mukarram Ahmed among other members of the community had objected to the depiction two visuals of angels and use of the word `ghawz' in the class XI history textbook, Tamil leaders, including CM J Jayalalithaa, DMK and others, had sought to remove references to the Nadar community as toddy-tappers and lower castes in the class IX history book. Demands to describe poet Mirabai as a saint instead of a wandering singer have also been acceded to. Other changes include referring to lower castes as subordinate castes and upper caste as dominant caste while dropping the mention of a lower caste in reference to social reformer Sree Narayana Guru revered in Kerala for speaking against the inequalities of the caste system.

"While there is no question that textbooks must constantly be evolving, the knee-jerk reaction to drop passages or text on political demands is disconcerting and undermines academic work,'' a senior academic said.

Two paintings in the history textbook for class XI Themes in World History drew the ire of the Shahi Imam as they depicted Archangel Gabriel in human form on page 79. The caption has now been qualified with an extended explanation informing readers that the illustration is from a 13th century text called Ajaibul Makhluqat by renowned scholar Kazrini. On page 80 of the same chapter, ``The Central Islamic Lands'', an illustration caption says that "a pilgrim touches the black stone (hajr al aswad) while angels (malaika) watch'' was dropped because of objections.

According to sources, objections were made to use of the word ``ghazw'' or expeditionary raids that has also been removed.

The class IX textbook, India and the Contemporary World-I, too has seen significant changes in its chapter on ``Caste Conflict and Dress Change.'' Tamil leaders, including AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, DMK, PMK and others, had found references to the Nadar community being described as migrants in Travancore, who worked as toddy-tappers under their Nair landlords as derogatory. Bowing to the sensitivities, the National Monitoring Committee has removed the reference, describing Nadars only as a ``subordinate caste''. The committee has also included more details about social reformer Ayya Vaikunder as demanded by the CM.

The NCERT has dropped reference to lower caste in the Class VIII social science book which mentions social reformer Narayana Guru and changed the reference of poet Mirabai from wandering singer to roving saint.

This is not the first occasion, when textbooks have been changed to pander to political whims. Six cartoons, including one of B R Ambedkar, was dropped last year after outraged MPs demanded the removal. The NCERT also added a mention of Avantibai Lodi in reference to the 1857 revolt following demands of SP and BSP members.