There is a pretty (in)famous adage: “History is written by the victors.” Given its prevalence and its relevance, it is obvious that the Indian history and the Indian narrative (that forms the basis of Indian education) was written by the victors too. But who were these victors? A simple perusal and a willingness to accept its ramifications will reveal that those victors who rewrote history from their perspectives were none other than the prominent political party — Indian National Congress.
In case you are going ‘No…No…No’ while vigorously shaking your head, answer this: “Out of the 68 years since the Indian independence, which political party has been at the helm of the affairs”? Like I said, if one is willing to confront some inconvenient truths, the answer to that question is pretty simple and can be summed up in one word – ‘Congress’.
With Congress being in power for 54 years (out of a total 68 years) since the attainment of independence, it was Congress that shaped the narrative of the Indian education and used it as a political tool to mould students in its way. Of course, while there was an attempt from the students to subvert this systematic brainwash by the Congress (remember the JP Movement that kickstarted in Bihar against this very narrative), sadly, over time it died a natural death and lost its rigour and relevance.
Thus, all students who opened their eyes in an imperialism-free India that was ruled by the ruling Congress or its coalitions, was forced to swallow a Congressly-customised course curriculum that conveniently removed political colossuses like Subhas Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekananda, etc. from the curricula, which now teaches about the charismatic leadership of the young and reluctant prince of Congress, Shri Rahul Gandhi.
A few months ago, a series of RTI applications filed by Suryapratap Singh Rajawat revealed disturbing facts. The NCERT textbooks have surprisingly excluded many national leaders and luminaries like Chandra Shekhar Azad, Ashfaqullah Khan, Batukeshwer Dutt, Ram Prasad Bismil, Sukhdev, etc.
In a terse order, the CIC has asked NCERT to disclose why content on Swami Vivekananda, for example, has been reduced from 1,250 to 87 words in Class XII history books, and completely removed from the syllabus for Class VIII. The order also lists 36 other revolutionaries who participated and partook in India’s freedom struggle but have been shortchanged in the courses being taught at school.
The CIC further asked NCERT to furnish an explanation as to what efforts it has taken in order to ensure that the lessons being imparted to school children are objective and free from all biases and/or orientation. This particular “show-cause” itself is testament to the fact that something serious is simmering just beneath the surface. Highlighting the amazing political genius that is ‘Shri Rahul Gandhi’ and underplaying (or completely obliterating) the spiritual genius that was Swami Vivekananda needs some introspection and pure common sense. For if the BJP was truly the ones re-writing textbooks, I wonder if they too would prefer the Congress scion over the Hindu saint, who was the one who introduced the Indian philosophy to the world.
Then again maybe it IS the BJP rewiring the Indian textbooks. And including Rahul Gandhi as the greatest leader of all time — is its April Fool prank!
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