While media reports have already countered the allegations made by HRD minister Smriti Irani in the Lok Sabha regarding Rohith Vemula’s suicide, newer reports have emerged refuting the second allegation made by Irani regarding the use of an “anti-national” handbook for class IV history teachers.
During a series of allegations and counter-allegations between the BJP and the Congress in the Lok Sabha, Irani flashed the handbook that was authored by activist Teesta Setalvad and said:
But according to the administration of the Don Bosco school, after a series of protests staged by the RSS, the handbook was discontinued by the school in 2001.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Father Bernard Fernandes, principal of the school, said:
The handbook talked about Shivaji being born as a shudra who rose to power and fame because he represented the underprivileged classes and spoke against injustice.
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