The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has revised its Class 12 Political Science textbooks for the upcoming academic year, incorporating significant changes in the portrayal of India's relationship with China and the status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Chinese Aggression Highlighted
In the chapter on "Contemporary World Politics," the description of India's border situation with China has been modified. The previous sentence, which referred to a "military conflict over a border dispute," has been replaced with a more assertive phrase, "Chinese aggression on the Indian border." This alteration reflects the escalating tensions and recent clashes between the two countries.Azad Kashmir Renamed as Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK)
The textbook "Politics in India since Independence" has also undergone a notable revision. The term "Azad Kashmir" has been replaced with "Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK)," aligning with the Indian government's official stance on the region.The previous description stating that Pakistan describes the area as "Azad Pakistan" has been replaced with "However, it is the Indian territory which is under illegal occupation of Pakistan called Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK)."
Abrogation of Article 370 Acknowledged
The updated textbooks explicitly mention the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir, in August 2019. A sentence has been added to the section on special provisions for certain states, stating that "Article 370, which contains special provisions for J&K, was abrogated in August 2019."Contextualizing the Changes
These revisions are part of a broader series of modifications to the NCERT curriculum in recent years. In 2023, changes were made regarding the description of the Gujarat riots, controversies surrounding the emergency imposed during Indira Gandhi's tenure, and certain references to Gandhi's assassination.The NCERT has stated that these changes are in line with the latest position of the Government of India. However, they have sparked debate and criticism from some quarters, who argue that they represent a biased and politically motivated reinterpretation of historical events.
Public Reaction and Implications
The revised textbooks have garnered widespread support from the public, who view them as a necessary step towards a more accurate and relevant curriculum.The inclusion of the abrogation of Article 370 and the reference to Chinese aggression are seen as reflecting the current geopolitical realities and the government's priorities. The removal of the term "Azad Kashmir" is considered a reaffirmation of India's territorial claims and a rejection of Pakistan's narrative on the Kashmir issue.
While some education experts and opposition parties have raised concerns about the potential for bias and political influence in educational content, the public response indicates a broad acceptance of the revisions as a positive step towards a more accurate and relevant curriculum.
The debate over the role of political narratives in education is ongoing, but the public's positive reaction to the NCERT's revisions suggests a growing consensus that textbooks should reflect the country's official positions and provide students with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary political issues.
As these textbooks shape young minds, the public support for the revisions highlights the importance of a curriculum that is both accurate and aligned with the national perspective.
