Critical Chapters On Democracy And Diversity Dropped From Indian Textbook During Elections

Elections have already begun. The elections of 2019 are the most interesting, unanticipated elections in the history of independent India. Citizens are eagerly waiting for the day of results, apprehending the coming fate of the nation.

In the middle of this anxious atmosphere, the Narendra Modi Government has dropped a full chapter on “Democracy In The Contemporary World”- Political science for class IX- from the government-run National Council For Educational Research and Training (NCERT). To make matters worse, the decision has been taken by the committee with no experts in them. The book nowhere mentions the reason behind the removal.

According to historian Hari Vasudevan, who headed the advisory committee of for NCERT textbooks in 2005, states that the arbitrariness and willfulness does not send a right message during elections, especially the chapter of democracy. Calling this entire process as ‘unfortunate’, he mentioned that schools have the right to decide which chapters they want to teach their students. He further added that they could have simply Skyped him before taking such a drastic decision.

Previously, references to caste, cricket and clothing has been removed from the history textbooks.

The chapter mapped the democracy since 1950s and explained about different phases in the expansion of democracy, the end of colonialism, including Indian neighborhoods like Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar.

India has been a democratic nation since it was born. It enjoys the reputation of being the largest democracy in the world. It is the major right of every citizen of India mentioned in the constitution. It is the primary reason that gives every eligible citizen to vote and choose their upcoming Government. Education about democracy is very essential from the basic stages, it is the basic introduction to political science, as it forms the basis of Indian politics and the aftermath involved.

But now the question is, where is India actually headed? What is in store for the future when history and political chapters are moulded according to the wishes of the government, especially without expert advice?

Media and social platforms have also raised a question, is the government planning to take the country on the path of communism?

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