New Delhi : Controversy surrounds NCERT's alterations in the 12th-grade textbooks, with new revelations emerging about significant changes in the 11th-grade Political Science book. These changes allegedly cater to minority appeasement in the context of 'poll politics,' potentially compromising the equality rights of all citizens. Modifications have been introduced to certain chapters of the 11th-grade Political Science textbook compared to the 2023-24 edition.
Notably, the section 'Critique of Indian Secularism' now includes two paragraphs on the 'Politics of Vote Bank.' Both editions of the textbooks highlight that the success of secular policy lies in securing votes from minorities to safeguard their interests. However, a crucial question arises: What if the welfare of one group infringes on the rights of others?
What if the actions of secular politicians jeopardize the interests of the majority, leading to a different form of injustice? The responses to these questions diverge between the two textbook versions. The 2023-24 edition emphasizes that while vote bank politics is not inherently wrong, fostering injustice through politics is unacceptable. In contrast, the 2024-25 edition expands on this notion, illustrating how electoral politics can distort elections by mobilizing social groups to vote in masse for specific candidates or parties.
This strategy treats the group as a single entity, prioritizing short-term electoral gains over societal development and governance needs. NCERT defended these changes, asserting that the revised section now aligns with the intended purpose of 'Criticism of Indian Secularism,' moving away from mere endorsement of vote bank politics.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized NCERT, likening its recent approach to that of a union organization rather than a professional body. Ramesh accused NCERT of aligning with a particular political ideology, evident in the treatment of secularism and party politics in the 11th-grade textbook.
The use of 'India' and 'Bharat' in the textbooks has also sparked controversy. NCERT Director Dinesh Prasad Saklani responded to the criticism, highlighting that both terms are referenced in the country's Constitution. He questioned the issue with incorporating both terms in the textbooks, emphasizing their constitutional relevance.
