Congress Leader Accuses Government of Distorting Education Amid NCERT Textbook Changes
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar has voiced his concerns regarding the government’s actions, stating that it is attempting to “poison the minds of school-going children.” This accusation follows the decision by the NCERT to exclude the terms “secular” and “secularism” from the revised Class 9 Social Science textbook under the recently implemented National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Wadettiwar asserted, “A wave of extreme religious fanaticism has gripped the nation. Removing the word ‘secular’ from NCERT textbooks clearly reveals an intention to poison the minds of school-going children. If we remove the concept of secularism, then what ideology will this country run on?”
He further elaborated, “This is nothing but a strategy to rule in the name of religion, keep the nation far away from reality, and hide the truth. They bring up such divisive issues simply to mask the real problems plaguing the country.”
Significant Changes in Revised Textbook
Recent reports indicate that the revised Social Science textbook, which combines History, Geography, Political Science, and Economics, marks a significant shift from prior editions. Among the most notable omissions is the absence of the Preamble in the introductory chapter on the Constitution. Earlier references to ‘secular’ and ‘secularism’ have also been excluded from the main text.
In lieu of these terms, NCERT has opted for a broader discourse on constitutional values, governance, and institutions, aligning with the integrated learning framework of the NEP 2020.
Introduction of New Topics
The updated syllabus also covers historical events like the 1975–77 Emergency, marking its debut in a Class 9 textbook. Additionally, lessons pertaining to India’s electoral system and democratic institutions have been expanded, along with a caution against counterfeit textbooks.
Titled Understanding Society: India and Beyond, the revised book includes a specific section on the Emergency, highlighting it as a pivotal challenge to Indian democracy.
