📷 Image Credits: India Today
In recent developments, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief, Asaduddin Owaisi, has criticized the NCERT for its decision to modify references related to the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya in textbooks. The controversy arose after the NCERT revised the Class 12 Political Science textbook, replacing the term ‘Babri Masjid’ with ‘three-domed structure’. Owaisi expressed his disapproval stating that children should be aware of the 1992 demolition of the Babri Masjid and not grow up glorifying criminal acts. According to him, the decision to alter historical facts in textbooks is misleading and potentially harmful. The Hyderabad MP emphasized the importance of acknowledging the events surrounding the Babri Masjid, including the desecration in 1949 and subsequent demolition in 1992. He highlighted that the Supreme Court had labeled the demolition as an ‘egregious criminal act’, emphasizing the significance of an accurate portrayal of historical events for educational purposes. The revised textbook in question has reduced the content related to the Ayodhya incident, omitting crucial details such as the rath yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya, the role of kar sevaks, and the communal violence post the demolition. Additionally, the textbook now suggests that political parties engage in ‘minority appeasement’ for vote bank politics, prompting criticism from the opposition. The NCERT director defended the revisions, claiming they were part of regular textbook review and denied allegations of saffronization or bias. The revisions have sparked a debate regarding the preservation of historical truth and the implications of altering educational content for political or ideological reasons. As the controversy escalates, the stance of educational institutions on historical accuracy and integrity remains a pressing issue in India’s academic landscape.
