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Row over Rajasthan textbook glorifying Congress PMs, minister orders probe

Row over Rajasthan textbook glorifying Congress PMs, minister orders probe

India Today10-07-2025
A controversy has erupted in Rajasthan after Education Minister Madan Dilawar alleged that a Class 12 textbook glorified former Congress prime ministers while omitting BJP stalwarts.The minister has ordered an investigation into the contents of the book, which has already been distributed in 20,000 government schools for the current academic session.The textbook, titled "Azadi Ke Baad Ka Swarnim Bharat Ka Itihaas" (Glorious history of India after Independence), includes extensive chapters on former Congress prime ministers, particularly those from the Gandhi-Nehru family, and Dr Manmohan Singh.advertisement
Moreover, the book contains over 15 photographs of these leaders across various pages. However, it has no mention of BJP stalwarts such as former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee or Narendra Modi.The state education department has objected to the omission of these names and their contributions in the textbook.SYLLABUS PREPARED IN CONGRESS REGIMEThe syllabus was prepared during the previous Congress government and the textbooks are published by the Rajasthan State Textbook Board. The BJP came to power in the state in 2023."We are reviewing the entire matter. This book appears to be a Congress publication, filled with stories of those who once undermined democracy. It cannot be allowed to continue in the curriculum," Dilawar said.He further said that changes would be made to the content and a balanced representation of all leaders would be ensured.Last year, the minister had triggered a row by asserting that any textbook depicting Mughal emperor Akbar as "great" would be burned. He had said that Akbar had plundered the country for years."He was an aggressor. Calling him great was great stupidity," Dilawar had said.- Ends
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