NCERT removes cartoon on coalition govts from Class 12 textbook
says it casts India in ‘negative light’
New Delhi: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has made a change to its Class 12 political science textbook by removing a political cartoon that illustrated the challenges and uncertainties faced by coalition governments in India. The decision to remove the cartoon was made as it portrayed the country in a “negative light.”
The cartoon, created by Ravishankar and originally published in India Today magazine, featured images of several Prime Ministers, including V.P. Singh (1990), Chandra Shekhar (1990), P.V. Narasimha Rao (1991), H.D. Deve Gowda (1996), I.K. Gujral (1997), and A.B. Vajpayee (1998). It included a series of questions about the stability of their coalition governments and the state of democracy in India.
According to a report in The Hindu, the illustration has been replaced with two students conversing with each other in speech bubbles. In the new illustration, one student questions, “Does that mean that we will always have coalitions? Or can the national parties consolidate their positions again?” The other student responds, “I am not worried about whether it is a single party or a coalition government. I am more worried about what they do. Does a coalition government involve more compromises? Can we not have bold and imaginative policies in a coalition?”
The document published by the NCERT outlining these changes dates back to April 2024, before the general election and the formation of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) does not hold a majority on its own.
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B’luru: Prof Muralidhar Deshpande calls Muslim student ‘terrorist’ 13 times during class;Video viral
Bengaluru: A minute-long video is being widely shared on social media showing a classroom incident purportedly from PES University, Bengaluru, where a professor is allegedly seen calling a Muslim student a “terrorist” multiple times. According to claims circulating online, the professor identified as Dr. Muralidhar Deshpande repeated his remark caling the Muslim student a terrorist 13 times during the class on Friday, March 27.
Following the circulation of the video, fresh developments have emerged. PES University has suspended the professor pending a detailed enquiry. This was confirmed through an official document accessed by Vartha Bharati.
The document dated March 27 states, “A case of student complaint has been received. Pending a detailed enquiry into the matter, you are kept under suspension with immediate effect.” The order has been signed by the Vice Chancellor of the university. However, the document does not mention the nature of the incident or provide any further details.
Mohammed Haiyan, PR Secretary of Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), speaking to Vartha Bharati over a phone call, condemned the incident. He said the incident took place at the Electronic City campus of the university.
He added that they are demanding that an FIR be registered against the professor. He also said that the NSUI has already registered an NCR with the local police. However, an FIR has not been registered so far in connection with the case.
A report by The Observer Post has made several additional claims regarding the incident. It stated:
“In PES University, Bengaluru, a professor allegedly verbally abused a Muslim student named Affan in class. Dr. Muralidhar Deshpande reportedly called him a "terrorist" 13 times and said, "Iran war happened because of people like you," "Trump will take you away," and "You are idiots, you will go to hell." These remarks were made in front of around 60 students, creating a humiliating environment. CCTV footage that could have been evidence was allegedly deleted, raising concerns about accountability. Some students who supported Affan were reportedly suspended for "talking during class." The professor later apologized to the college but not directly to Affan, while the department head allegedly pressured him further.”
However, Vartha Bharati could not independently verify all of these claims mentioned in the report.
Vartha Bharati has sent an email to the university and Dr. Muralidhar Deshpande seeking clarification on the incident and the action taken. A response is awaited. The story will be updated once an official reply is received.
PES University, Bengaluru, Karnataka ,
— Team Rising Falcon (@TheRFTeam) March 27, 2026
A viral video is being reported from PES University, where a Muslim student was allegedly called a “terrorist” repeatedly not by a troll, but by a professor.
Imagine being labeled this way in front of 60 students by someone entrusted with… pic.twitter.com/aNObuWnH9e
