– Raheem Khan
Jaipur, Sep 4: A fresh controversy has emerged in Rajasthan following a statement by the state’s Education Minister, Madan Dilawar, in which he announced that Mughal Emperor Akbar would no longer be described as a ‘great personality’ in school textbooks. Dilawar, speaking at the 28th state-level Bhamashah Samman ceremony at Sukhadia University in Udaipur, went further, stating that all books portraying Akbar as great would be burned. He criticised Akbar, claiming that the emperor looted India for years, and vowed that no school would be allowed to glorify him in the future.
The statement has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. Congress state president Govind Dotasara condemned Dilawar’s remarks, particularly the call to burn books, accusing him of seeking cheap popularity. Dotasara pointed out that the NCERT syllabus, which describes Akbar as a great figure, has been in place in Rajasthan since 2022. He emphasised that while Akbar was recognised as great at the recent G-20 Summit, Dilawar’s baseless statements only serve to distract from the real issues plaguing the state’s education system.
Dotasara also criticised Dilawar for focusing on divisive rhetoric instead of addressing the declining admission rates in government schools under the current administration. He suggested that if Dilawar concentrated on improving the education system, he could earn the title of ‘great’ himself. Dotasara further accused Dilawar of following the RSS’s agenda of fomenting Hindu-Muslim tensions.
The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has also strongly condemned Dilawar’s remarks. SDPI Rajasthan State President Ashfaq Hussain accused the minister of attempting to disrupt the state’s peaceful atmosphere by issuing a hate-filled, controversial statement on Indian history. Hussain argued that Dilawar’s comments undermine the historical brotherhood between Rajputs and Muslims, pointing out that the battle between Maharana Pratap and Akbar was not a religious conflict, as evidenced by Maharana Pratap’s alliance with Hakim Khan Suri.
Hussain warned that rewriting history in such a communal light could have dire consequences for social harmony, potentially increasing hatred and tension in society. He demanded that Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma take action against Dilawar, calling for his dismissal from the post of Education Minister due to the threat his divisive statements pose to peace and order.
Madan Dilawar, known for his controversial and communal remarks, has previously stirred controversy with statements against the Gurjar and tribal communities, as well as his well-documented hostility towards the Muslim community. The ongoing debate over his latest comments continues to highlight deep-seated tensions within the state’s political and social fabric.
