Withdraw book else we will go to court: Congress

Mumbai: The new history and political science book for class 10 of the Maharashtra State Secondary and Higher Secondary Board has ignited a controversy as it allegedly includes a lesson favouring the ruling BJP-Shiv Sena combine while belittling the Congress and the communist parties. So much so, that an incensed Congress has threatened to go to court if the book is not withdrawn.

The Balbharati book is as per the new syllabus, and introduces political parties to students in one of the lessons. About the BJP, the book says, “This party always protects our tradition and culture, in favour of economic development.” The Sena is described as “the party protecting the interests of Maharas-htrians while opposing outsiders.”

About communist parties, the book states, “There was a split in the party over following the leadership of the Soviet Union versus China.”

Commenting on the issue, Leader of Opposition, Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, condemned the government and alleged, “The BJP government has started the misuse of textbooks, too, for advertisement. BJP does not have a history or contribution to the freedom struggle or the post-independence era. So, the government has now started misleading people.”

Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant demanded that the textbook be withdrawn else the party would move court on the issue.