Rajasthan Govt Recalls Textbook On Godhra Train Burning Incident, To Discontinue From Curriculum

Rajasthan government has recalled school textbooks containing Godhra train burning incident chapters.

The Rajasthan government has recalled some of the school textbooks from class 9 to 12 containing chapters on the 2002 Godhra train burning incident saying the issue will no longer be taught in state-run schools. 

The textbooks had been recalled due to "technical deficiencies" and a "check" would be done to assess the quality of paper and printing. State Education Minister Madan Dilawar claimed that the killers were glorified in the incident, reported India Today. 

He accused the previous Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government of misleading the children by giving wrong information about the incident. 

"Lies are being spread about the Godhra incident and society is being divided," Dilawar said. Those who burnt the train in Godhra are being glorified as Hindus and they are being referred to as criminals. Wrong things have been mentioned about the then Gujarat government," he added.

He also accused the former education minister Govind Singh Dotasra of purposely conspiring to mislead the children about the incident through these recalled books. However, Dotasra accused Dilawar of lying and said that he did not approve the books during his tenure.

Jeevan Ki Bahar',' Chitti Ek Kutta Aur Uska Jungle Farm', and 'Adrishya Log - Story of Hope and Courage' are some of the books that have been recalled by the state government. The District Education Officers have been asked by the state government to withdraw all copies from government-run schools.

One of the recalled books Log – Story of Hope and Courage' was authored by former IAS officer Harsh Mander. The  MP-Chhattisgarh cadre officer retired after the 2002 Gujarat riots and is currently working in an NGO.

In the book, Mander called the Godhra train burning incident a "terrorist conspiracy" and described his experiences. He also mentioned how Muslims were targeted and tortured after the incident.

Recently, Mander was subjected to a CBI inquiry over allegations of foreign donation law violations.

On February 27, 2002, the S6 coach of the Sabarmati Express, carrying pilgrims returning from Ayodhya was set on fire at Gujarat's Godhra railway station. 59 people were killed in the incident that triggered widespread violence and communal clashes in the state, which claimed 1,044 lives. 

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