‘Give Proper Space to Freedom Fighters In History Books’
Noted historians feel currently there is “overwhelming representation” of Gandhi and Nehru in text books.
Leading historians are in favour of makinghistory textbooks more “balanced” and giving “proper space”to freedom fighters like Subhash Chandra Bose and Lala Lajpat Rai saying thecurrent books have an “overwhelming representation” of Mahatma Gandhiand Jawaharlal Nehru.
The historians who attended aNCERT-organised five-day workshop to review history textbooks felt currentbooks are not meant for students pursuing further studies and researchprogramme in history.
They were also of the view that the bookswere “sub- standard” and there is an “overwhelmingrepresentation” of Gandhi and Nehru.
The workshop organised from June 8 to 12 toreview the history books from VIII to XII was attended by scholars from acrossthe country including members of Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR).
The meeting came at a time when thegovernment is being accused of saffronisation of education and is on a path torevamp syllabus having more “Indianness” in it.
While NCERT refused to divulge any detailsabout the meet, some historians who participated said the meet was called to“correct” errors and “rectifications” but there weredeliberations on the need to present history in a “properperspective”.
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