Controversy regarding textbooks on Indian history is raging in California with academicians alleging that changes made on the behest of Hindu organisations have resulted in hiding 'true history'.
Hindu organisations mainly The Vedic Foundation and Hindu Education Foundation persuaded the California’s Board of Education (CBE) to make changes in textbooks dealing with India and Hinduism.
Their suggestions were initially reviewed and approved by an ‘Ad-Hoc Committee,’ which included renowned Indologist Prof Shiva Bajpai. But a final decision will be taken next month only.
California mandates the study of world religions in its public schools and every six years, state textbooks come up for review, which includes public hearings. The controversy started last year, when Jews, Hindus and Sikhs persuaded CBE to correct sixth-grade textbooks, which the groups felt contained 'inaccurate' depiction of their religion and culture.