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Activist groups seek withdrawal of textbooks

Special Correspondent

They allege prevalence of "rashtravadi" sentiments as preached by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh

JAIPUR: Activist groups have demanded withdrawal of textbooks in Hindi language and social studies prescribed by the Rajasthan Board for Secondary Education for Class X students. They have alleged a preponderance of "rashtravadi" (nationalist) sentiments, as preached and practiced by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in these books that can hurt the sensibilities of Dalits, Adivasis, minorities and women.

The controversial texts, Social Studies 1, Hindi prose (compulsory) and Hindi Bharati (compulsory) II, talk about Indian culture varyingly as "Arya sanskriti", "Bharatiya sanskriti" and "Hindu sanskriti" and at places refer to Mughal rule as foreign rule and advocate strong action against Muslim terrorists as well as ULFA.

The Social Studies text on page 144 quoting former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Jagmohan says, "This kind of terrorism is the result of the Government's policy of soft-pedalling and appeasement". As for putting an end to terrorism, the text advocates demolition of camps run by ULFA and similar organisations and talk in the "language of force" with Pakistan.

The Social Studies text has observations such as "There should be legislation to end conversions and infiltration...every type of appeasement should end... Article 370 should be immediately dropped... the Government should seriously consider the suggestions and statements of nationalist organisations".

"These texts are no better than RSS pamphlets," said Apoorvanand, Reader at Delhi University and member of the National Focus Group on Indian Languages of the National Curriculum Framework, 2005, set up by NCERT, who addressed journalists here on Monday along with Than Singh and Kavita Srivastava, president and secretary respectively of the Rajasthan PUCL.

"The objection is not merely to the attempt at indoctrination of young minds in Hindutva ideology. The basics to be kept in mind while writing textbooks are not adhered to in these texts. The tone and language of the books are as if they are to be read by only upper caste Hindu male students," Mr. Apoorvanand charged.

"The books tend to hurt the sentiments of Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims, Christians and women and talk about Aryan culture as superior. Women are excluded unless they suit the broad outline of Hindutva. Similarly Sant Kabir or Meera Bai find no mention though Rani Padmini and others are mentioned in connection with johar they committed," he pointed out.

The tribesmen who helped Lord Ram in the battle are referred to as "vanya jatis" with "heen mansik avastha" (low mentality). In the Hindi Text II, the Rajasthani saint Baba Ramdev is referred to as a person who "even after being born in upper caste made contacts with the untouchables". "We demand withdrawal of all the three books. The books are gendered and are prejudicial," said Ms. Srivastava. PUCL with the support of other organisations would launch a campaign against the books, she warned.

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