Rejecting accusations of saffronisation and political manipulation of the school curriculum, NCERT’s Director, Dinesh Prasad Saklani, defended the modification of school textbooks that reduced references to the Gujarat riots and the Babri Masjid demolition. In a candid interaction with PTI editors at the agency’s headquarters on Saturday, Saklani explained that such content was modified to prevent the creation of “violent and depressed citizens” among students.
Addressing an inquiry regarding the explicit changes about the Gujarat riots and Babri Masjid demolition, Saklani questioned the need for including details of riots in textbooks. “Why should we teach about riots in school textbooks? We aim to foster positive citizens, not encourage aggression or depression,” he remarked. “Education is meant to nurture empathy, understanding, and constructive qualities in our young people. Teaching about riots and violence is counterproductive and not essential for their foundational learning.”
Saklani argued that children should be allowed to mature before tackling such heavy subjects. “Should we instruct our students in ways that make them offensive and promote hatred, or make them victims of resentment? What is the true purpose of education? Such sensitive topics can be dealt with at a more appropriate age,” insisted Saklani.
Saklani’s comments came amid the recent release of updated textbooks, which have sparked controversy due to significant deletions and modifications. Notably, the revised Class 12 political science textbook no longer mentions the Babri Masjid by name, instead referring to it as a “three-domed structure.” The section on Ayodhya has also been reduced from four pages to two, eliminating several details present in the previous version.
The updated content now emphasizes the Supreme Court’s judgment facilitating the construction of a Ram temple at the disputed site, which received widespread acceptance across India. This recent revision follows the ceremonial consecration of the Ram idol in the newly constructed temple, an event attended by the Prime Minister on January 22 of this year.
“We are committed to shaping positive citizens,” reiterated Saklani, underscoring the objectives of the revised textbooks. “The purpose is not to inculcate violence or depress our students. Education should move away from themes of hatred and violence.”
Saklani highlighted the inconsistency in the criticism, noting, “The same level of outrage is not raised regarding the exclusion of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots from textbooks.”
The most recent deletions in the NCERT textbooks include: the BJP’s ‘rath yatra’ from Somnath to Ayodhya, the participation of kar sevaks, riots following the Babri Masjid demolition, the imposition of President’s rule in BJP-ruled states, and the BJP’s statement of regret concerning Ayodhya’s incidents.
Reflecting on the inclusion of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the textbooks, Saklani posed, “If the Supreme Court has issued a ruling in favor of the Ram temple, why shouldn’t it be mentioned in our textbooks? We incorporate new developments and updates.
. Just as we would inform students about the construction of a new Parliament building, we have the duty to educate them about significant contemporary and historical developments.”
When asked about the allegations of saffronisation, Saklani responded emphatically, “If certain content becomes irrelevant or outdated, it must be revised. These changes are not about saffronisation. We are committed to teaching history based on factual evidence, not altering it to incite conflicts. If discussing the Indian Knowledge System is considered saffronisation, that is a misinterpretation. Recognizing India’s scientific advancements, such as the metallurgical achievements evident in the iron pillar of Mehrauli, is informing students of their heritage, not distorting it.”
Saklani, who has faced criticism for the textbook alterations, noted that periodically updating educational material is a standard worldwide practice. “Changes in textbooks are essential and a routine part of educational evolution, conducted by subject experts without undue influence,” he asserted. He further stressed, “There is no agenda to saffronize the curriculum. All changes are grounded in facts and research.”
Saklani underscored that the NCERT’s curricula modifications align with the principles of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This includes integrating recent archeological studies and contemporary insights, such as debates on Aryan migration and the cultural identities of ancient civilizations like the Harappans and the Vedic people.
Moreover, a two-page table listing the achievements of Mughal emperors, including Humayun, Shah Jahan, Akbar, Jahangir, and Aurangzeb, has also been excised from the texts. This revision is part of the fourth round of textbook updates initiated since 2014.
Referring to the revised section on Ayodhya, the NCERT disclosed in April that the changes reflect the latest political developments and the Supreme Court’s Constitutional bench verdict, which received positive national reception.
Saklani acknowledged that some topics were excluded due to irrelevance or to integrate new information, while others were removed to alleviate the educational burden on students exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and to avoid content redundancy.
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