Uproar over class 9 history textbook

Mumbai: The Congress-NCP members created an uproar in the legislative assembly on Wednesday as they protested against the objectionable mention of late prime ministers, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi in class IX history text books. This protest by the opposition brought proceedings to a standstill and the house had to be adjourned once. Later, education minister Vinod Tawade assured the house that he would ask the education board to look into the matter.

The textbook has references to Indira Gandhi and the Emergency period and connects Rajiv Gandhi with the Bofors scam. The issue was also raised in the upper house of the legislature two days ago. The Emergency refers to a 21-month period from 1975 to 1977 when Indira Gandhi was prime minister. Proclaimed by the then President, it bestowed upon the government the authority to rule by decree, allowing elections to be suspended and civil liberties to be curbed. On the other hand, the Bofors scam pertains to a '1,437-crore contract that was signed between India and Bofors AB, a Swedish arms manufacturer, in March 1986 for the supply of 410 155mm Howitzer guns for the Indian Army. A year later, a Swedish radio broadcast alleged that the firm had paid bribes to Indian politicians and defence personnel.

Leader of opposition, Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil brought an adjournment motion in the assembly saying that highly objectionable matter had been printed in the history texts of Class IX. “Contribution of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi is bigger for the country. However, the textbook has printed objectionable matter about them. This has to be omitted immediately. This is an insult to the national personalities and the government should take action against the education board,” he said.

NCP leader Ajit Pawar supported Mr Patil and said the matter has hurt the sentiments of the people.

“The highest number of MPs were elected in Parliament under the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi. They had taken many good decisions during their tenure. The textbooks are defaming them. One has to rectify the books,” he added.

In the reply, Mr Tawade said that there was no intention to hurt anyone’s sentiments. “The history book has narrated incidents. There is no deliberate attempt to defame anyone. But I will ask the education board to look into the matter,” he said.