Rajasthan Minister Sparks Row, Seeks Removal Of Textbook That Glorifies Gandhis
Rajasthan School Education Minister Madan Dilawar said that the Class 12 textbook glorifies only Congress leaders and ignores the contributions from the BJP leaders.
A political controversy erupted in Rajasthan after School Education Minister Madan Dilawar announced plans to scrap the existing textbook from the Class 12 syllabus, alleging disproportionate glorification of Congress leaders, while sidelining the contributions by prime ministers from the BJP.
While the BJP said that the book propagates narratives that 'undermine democracy", the Congress opposed the announcement, terming it an 'ideological attack".
The Minister alleged that the textbook glorifies the Gandhis and omits the contributions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last 11 years.
The book in question, Azadi Ke Baad Swarnim Bharat Parts 1 and 2, has been a part of the curriculum since the tenure of the previous Congress government. They were prepared by the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education.
In state schools, the students of Classes 11 and 12 study a two-part textbook, 'Golden History After Independence". This year, following the government's approval, the book was printed and distributed to students. However, part 2 of the book has created controversy.
Dilawar alleged that the book portrays Congress leaders in a positive light despite their role in imposing the Emergency. He said that the book contains cover photos of former prime ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, along with former PMs from Congress, ranging from Jawaharlal Nehru to Manmohan Singh. However, there is no photo of PM Modi.
The Minister said that due to a lack of attention given to PM Modi, the state government has decided to ban the book from schools.
'There are over 15 photos of Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Manmohan Singh spread across several pages, but PM Modi is completely absent. The foreword by the book's coordinator devotes 80% of the content to Rajiv Gandhi's contributions. On the other hand, despite PM Modi serving as Prime Minister for 11 years, there isn't a single photo or detailed mention of his contributions. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and PM Modi's achievements are also missing, unlike other Prime Ministers. The book also includes photos of Sonia Gandhi and Ashok Gehlot," he said.
'This book glorifies only the Congress party. It feels as if Congress alone has done everything. Such a book will not be taught in schools. It contains narratives that undermine democracy. There is not even a mention of PM Modi's contributions, let alone his photo. What about the contributions of leaders like Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and Vasundhara Raje?" the Minister asked.
Reacting to the Minister's remarks, the Congress party warned that it would not remain silent over the ban on the textbook. The leaders argued that banning the book after its distribution wastes crores of rupees spent on printing.
'Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Rajiv Gandhi had done more work, which is why their details are given more prominence," Congress leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas said.
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First Published:
July 11, 2025, 10:07 IST
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