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After the Changes made by the education ministry body NCERT in the Class 12 political science book including Ayodhya and Babri masjid demolition, Kerala education minister V. Sivankutty stated that Kerala does not accept NCERT’s move to change syllabuses. “Textbooks should not contain any movement’s narrow ideological positions or propaganda. True history and science should be taught. This is the stand that Kerala upholds and the action it is taking” He said.
NCERT Class 12 Political Science textbook revised and does not mention the Babri Masjid by name-calling it a “three-domed structure,” it removed telling details from the earlier version. Following this, the Kerala education minister criticised the central government for trying to spread their propaganda and ideology through textbooks among students, but Kerala never accept such a political move.
‘Kerala will not accept the distortion of historical lessons for political interest. Kerala has a stance that historical facts should be taught to children, and it will continue. The sections related to the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, which has been removed from the NCERT textbooks, will be taught in Kerala. the Curriculum Committee will decide whether to include this in the supplementary textbook or the higher secondary new textbooks being prepared as part of curriculum reform.” Minister said.
Image source: PTI
‘Kerala Uphold secularism’
The left government education minister asserted that the state always upholds secularism. “The deliberate misrepresentation of certain sections of NCERT textbooks has led to enormous debates and controversies across the country. Concerns have been raised from many quarters that these changes will subvert the fundamental principles and secular nature of the Constitution.” He said
“NCERT has appointed a committee comprising SCERT, education experts, teachers and social workers to scrutinize the changes in the textbooks and assess their implications. The examination highlighted the need to protect values such as secularism, democracy and social justice guaranteed by the Constitution. Kerala has prepared parallel textbooks incorporating sections omitted by NCERT on the basis that education should be shaped according to Kerala’s cultural heritage, secular approach and progressive mindset. These textbooks embody the socio-cultural characteristics of the country and Kerala and uphold constitutional values” the Kerala education minister added.
The Kerala government vehemently objected to the previous ruling made by the NCERT, claiming that it was a deliberate attempt by the BJP-led Union government to promote their ideology and “saffronisation”. As a response, they published an additional textbook that included the omitted sections.
What are the changes in NCERT 12 class political science?
Recently, NCERT has made some changes in the class 12 political science textbook. Mainly, the Babri Masjid is being renamed calling it a “three-domed structure”, removed the portions of BJP’s rata yatra from Somnath in Gujarat to Ayodhya; the involvement of kar sevaks; sectarian unrest following the destruction of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992; imposition of President’s rule in BJP-governed states; and the BJP’s statement of “apology for the events at Ayodhya”. ” during the post-Godhra riots in 2002, More than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were murdered in Gujarat.” It has been changed to read: “More than 1,000 people were killed in post-Godhra riots in Gujarat in 2002”, removing the specific reference to Muslims. Following this, the opposition parties accused the central government of trying to spread communal ideology and “saffronisation”.
