June 17th 2024.
Two renowned political scientists, Yogendra Yadav and Suhas Palshikar, have raised concerns about the recent revisions made to the NCERT textbooks. In a letter addressed to the NCERT, they have expressed their disapproval of the new textbooks carrying their names, despite their clear disassociation from the revisions. Palshikar and Yadav have warned that they will have to resort to legal action if their names are not immediately withdrawn from the textbooks.
In their letter, they have strongly objected to the NCERT using their names as a shield to pass on textbooks that they believe are biased, academically weak, and not suitable for teaching purposes. They had previously served as chief advisors for the political science textbooks, but had distanced themselves from the revision process last year, citing that the books had been altered beyond recognition and were no longer of the same academic standard as before. They had even expressed their disappointment in the fact that the textbooks, which were once a source of pride for them, have now become a source of embarrassment.
Despite their withdrawal, the new versions of the textbooks still identify them as chief advisors. This has not gone unnoticed by Palshikar and Yadav, who have called out the NCERT for making significant additions and alterations to the original text without consulting them. They have firmly stated that the NCERT has no moral or legal right to distort the textbooks and publish them under their names without their consent.
The controversy surrounding the NCERT textbooks is not new. The revised Class 12 political science textbook has come under fire for not mentioning the Babri Masjid, but instead referring to it as a "three-domed structure". Several other controversial topics have been deleted or modified, including the BJP's "rath yatra", communal violence, and the expression of regret by the BJP over the Ayodhya incident.
Palshikar and Yadav have reiterated their stance in the letter, stating that they do not want their names to be associated with textbooks that they believe are politically biased, academically weak, and not suitable for teaching. They have demanded that the new editions of the textbooks be immediately withdrawn from the market. If the NCERT fails to take action, they have warned that they will have to take legal action.
The NCERT, however, has denied any accusations of saffronisation of the school curriculum. The director of NCERT, Dinesh Prasad Saklani, has stated that the modifications in the textbooks are a part of the annual revision process and should not be a cause for concern. He further explained that teaching about riots can have a negative impact on students and can create violent and depressed citizens, which is why certain references have been altered.
It is worth noting that when Palshikar and Yadav first disassociated themselves from the revisions, the NCERT had claimed their right to make changes based on copyright ownership and had dismissed any possibility of withdrawing their association. However, in light of the recent developments, it remains to be seen how the NCERT will respond to the concerns raised by the two political scientists.
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