History can't be selective: Smriti Irani on NCERT, Mughals, and curriculum debates
However, she added that it would be a grave injustice to history if textbooks only showcased the positives of a ruler like Akbar. 'His rule was replete with both good and bad instances. If you wish to only talk about the good and ignore the controversies, that is not fair.'Irani stressed that the intent is not to bias students, but to equip them with the full picture. 'Curriculum cannot be devoid of historical facts; you cannot, in some way, embellish the curriculum for your own political taste.'THE AKBAR-BABAR-ASHOKA CONUNDRUMAs the interview progressed, Irani was also questioned about the long-standing criticism that the BJP is using NCERT revisions to saffronise education.'The last time I checked, none of the Mughal rulers are members of any political party, nor are they representatives of any government organisation,' she said. 'People say let bygones be bygones, but one should learn to accept the truth about the past — whether good or bad.'When asked if the BJP intentionally downplays the alleged atrocities of rulers like Ashoka while spotlighting those of the Mughals such as Babar, Aurangzeb, or Akbar, Irani replied: 'I don't think any facts about King Ashoka have been hidden, at least not in any history book I've read. But again, I say this — I am not a historian. The people who have done so on the basis of evidence, and these experts can definitely keep their side."- EndsTrending Reel
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