NCERT Revises Paragraphs On Babri Masjid And Ayodhya Dispute In Class 12 Textbook

The reason behind this recent revision was to further lighten the curriculum load.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has revised its Class 12 political science textbook, saying the change reflects the Supreme Court's verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The NCERT said that it was necessary to adapt the syllabus to current political dynamics and delicate subjects. Accordingly, mentions of the Ayodhya temple, the demolition of the Babri Masjid, and the discourse surrounding Hindutva politics have been revised in the textbooks.

NCERT, the apex body responsible for advising the government on school education, is tasked with drafting school textbooks that are utilized by more than 4 crore students annually.

According to Hindustan Times, the chapter named “What is the legacy of the Ram Janambhoomi movement and the Ayodhya demolition for the nature of political mobilisation?” was changed to “What is the legacy of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement?”

In addition to incorporating the Supreme Court's judgment on the Ram Janambhoomi movement, the NCERT has also removed several references to the Babri Masjid demolition and Hindutva from the Class 12 Political Science textbook.

In the original chapter, a four-page section discussed the Ayodhya dispute, stating: "... A number of events culminated in the demolition of the disputed structure at Ayodhya (known as Babri Masjid) in December 1992. This event symbolized and triggered various changes in the politics of the country and intensified debates about the nature of Indian nationalism and secularism. These developments are associated with the rise of the BJP and the politics of 'Hindutva'."

As per the NCERT, the revised version reflects the latest political developments. It now reads: "... the centuries-old legal and political dispute over the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya started influencing the politics of India, which gave birth to various political changes. The Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Movement, becoming the central issue, transformed the direction of the discourse on secularism and democracy. These changes culminated in the construction of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya following the decision of the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court (which was announced on November 9, 2019)."

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