Four NCERT textbooks containing “objectionable” matter on prominent Sikh figures Guru Nanak, Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Banda Bahadur are being rewritten and fours others have been withdrawn after objections from scholars of minority communities.
The NCERT took the decision on a recommendation of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), after receiving the objections from the scholars, the Commission said in New Delhi. The NCERT consulted authors before deciding to make changes in the books, it said.
Portions relating to the three Sikh figures being rewritten are found in ‘Social Sciences’ written by Prof Romila Thapar for class seven, ‘Social Sciences’(Part 1) by Prof Arjun Dev and Indira Arjun Dev for Class eight, ‘Modern India by Prof Bipin Chandra for Class 12 and Contemporary World History (Part 11) by Prof Arjun Dev for Class 12.
The Commission said the NCERT had also amended some controversial portions about Jainism and Vardharman Mahavira in the book ‘Ancient India,’ written by Prof R S Sharma’ for class 11.
The withdrawn books are ‘Indian and the World’ written by Seema Yadav for class seven, Contemporary India’ by Hari Om for Class nine, Modern India by Satish Chandra Mittla for Class 12 and Medieval India by Prof Satish Chandar for Classs 11, the Commission said.