Govt defends dropping Tipu Sultan, Razia Sultan from NCERT textbooks, cites 'curricular objectives'
New Delhi: The Union government has defended its decision to exclude historical figures such as Tipu Sultan, Razia Sultan, and Nur Jahan from the Class 8 history textbook published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), citing alignment with curricular objectives.
Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary, responding to a written question in Parliament from Trinamool Congress MP Ritabrata Banerjee, stated that the objective of textbooks for Classes 6 to 8 is “to provide a broad survey of Indian civilisation from the pre-historic times till Independence.” He said the inclusion of personalities in the textbooks has been done "contextually and in accordance with curricular objectives."
The government came under fire from educators and academics last month after the release of the new Class 8 social science textbook for the ongoing academic year. Critics pointed out the removal of key historical figures and events, including Tipu Sultan, Haider Ali, the four Anglo-Mysore wars, Razia Sultan, and Nur Jahan.
Chaudhary clarified that the revised textbook is an integrated social science resource divided into four themes: India and the World: Land and the People; Tapestry of the Past; Governance and Democracy; and Economic Life Around Us. “Personalities featured in these themes have been included contextually and in accordance with curricular objectives,” he said, adding that the new textbook also incorporates updated pedagogical methods and emphasizes focused syllabus delivery and improved classroom practices.
In response to concerns over the exclusion of prominent Muslim rulers and key historical events, the minister said that Tapestry of the Past includes women leaders like Rani Durgavati, Ahilyabai Holkar, Rani Abbakka I, and Begum Hazrat Mahal.
Chaudhary also reminded Parliament that education is a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution. “The respective state governments may adopt or adapt NCERT textbooks or develop their own textbooks based on the National Curriculum Framework. The states have the flexibility to provide more coverage about regional personalities and events in their textbooks,” he said.
Earlier versions of the Class 7 textbook included detailed sections on the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. However, the new Class 7 book now ends before the 12th century, shifting much of that content to the first part of the new Class 8 textbook, albeit with notable omissions.
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Bengaluru: Four arrested for housebreaking, threats, extortion; fake PSI among accused
Bengaluru: Vidyaranyapura police have arrested four persons, including a man posing as a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI), for allegedly breaking into a house, threatening the occupants, and extorting money while wearing police uniforms.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mallikarjuna, Pramod, Vinay, and Hrithik.
Police said the accused had hatched a plan to pose as police personnel, conduct fake raids, and extort money from residents by intimidation.
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According to the police, Mallikarjuna had failed the PSI examination twice and later falsely projected himself as a PSI. He allegedly conducted photo shoots in his hometown, Siraguppa, wearing a police uniform, baton, cap, and shoes, claiming to be serving as a PSI in Bengaluru.
On December 7, the four accused allegedly went to the house of Naveen in the Vidyaranyapura limits, threatened him with a stick and an iron rod, and claimed they had information that he was selling ganja. Under the pretext of searching, they allegedly extorted ₹87,000 through bank transfer, ₹53,000 in cash kept in the house, and ₹2,000 from his wallet.
Following Naveen’s complaint, Vidyaranyapura police registered a case and launched an operation, leading to the arrest of all four accused. Police have seized ₹45,000 in cash and the car used to commit the crime.
Further investigation is underway.
