2 August 2024: In a heated Lok Sabha session, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi sharply criticized the government’s decision to remove references to the Babri Masjid from NCERT textbooks. Owaisi argued that erasing these historical events prevents future generations from learning crucial lessons, reports the Times of India.
“The NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) has removed references to the Babri Masjid and the 2002 Gujarat riots. Why should people not learn from the mistakes of the past?” Owaisi questioned.
He emphasized the importance of educating children about significant historical events, including the Gujarat pogrom and the massacre of minority Muslims. Participating in a debate on the Union education ministry’s demands for grants, Owaisi accused the government of altering educational content and programs.
“Those who do not learn from the mistakes of history are bound to repeat them,” he warned.
The revisions in the Class 12 political science textbook include reducing the section on Ayodhya from four to two pages and replacing the term “Babri Masjid” with “three-domed structure.”
Joining the debate, Independent MP Pappu Yadav called for Patna University to be upgraded to a central university. He also urged the government to ensure the timely release of competitive exam results to prevent manipulation.
The controversy surrounding these textbook changes reflects broader concerns about historical revisionism and the shaping of educational narratives in India.
