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Punjab history book row: Capt playing BJP’s game with hidden agenda, says Sukhpal Khaira
The AAP leader alleged that Amarinder had never spoken against the BJP and was also doing things at their behest, claiming that the CM was acting in this manner because of cases filed against his son-in-law and son.
Leader of opposition in Punjab assembly Sukhpal Khaira on Wednesday accused chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh of playing the BJP’s game by removing chapters on Sikh gurus from the history textbooks in the state.
“The chapters on Sikh history have been deleted. The chief minister is telling lies when he claims that chapters have shifted to Class 11 history book. There is a hidden agenda. He is acting like a pawn,” Khaira told reporters at a press conference. AAP co-president Dr Balbir Singh was also present.
The AAP leader alleged that Amarinder had never spoken against the BJP and was also doing things at their behest, claiming that the CM was acting in this manner because of cases filed against his son-in-law and son. Demanding a white paper on changes made in history books, Khaira said there were 22 chapters on Punjab history in the earlier Class-12 book, but only two chapters, ‘Towards Sikh Rule’ and ‘Punjab under British Rule’, had been devoted in the new book. “The history book has been reduced to 182 pages from 300 pages earlier. Only 20 pages have been devoted to Punjab history,” he said, flashing a copy of a history book of a private publisher.
The AAP leader said about two lakh students of Class 11, who have been promoted to Class 12, would study from these new books and be deprived of Punjab history. He urged the government to allow the older books this year and set up a committee of educationists to deliberate on history syllabus and books. “The CM says that chapters on Sikh history have been shifted to Class 11 book. The proposed book has only six chapters. And, where is that book? I don’t think anyone has seen it,” he said. Asked about huge difference in cost of textbook published by the Punjab School Education Board and those brought out by private publishers, he said the children were paying for these books so far. While PSEB has priced its Class-12 book at Rs 91, those brought out by private publishers were available at four to five times higher.
‘Expunging’ chapters on Sikh gurus: What row over PSEB history syllabus is all about?
Class 11 book to be put in 10 days
The education department said the Class-11 history book would be out in 10 days. “As the Class 10 results have still not been declared, the board had decided to publish the Class-12 book first. The content of Class-11 book is ready and only a few minor editorial changes are required. All chapters Sikh gurus and history have been covered in Classes 9, 10 and 11,” said an officer of education department. On the AAP leader’s question regarding children of Class 12 this year missing out on Sikh history, the officer said there were already chapters on Sikh gurus and their teachings in Class 9 and 10 books. “The department can consider organising bridge courses to cover those portions of Sikh history which have been taken out of Class-12 book,” he said.
