Response to New Text Books Causes Rift Between Communities; Doctors Resign

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an apex resource organization set up by the Government of India to assist and advise the central and state govts on academic matters related to school education. On 18 Jul, NCERT introduced new Class 8 Social Science textbooks: Exploring Society: India and Beyond and Reshaping India’s Political Map. The textbooks span the history of India from the 13-17^th centuries. They cover the Delhi Sultanate, the Vijayanagara Empire, the Mughal era, and the emergence of Sikh power. Among the new additions are references to political instability, military campaigns, destruction of educational and religious institutions, and acts of religious intolerance—topics that were either absent or briefly mentioned in previous editions. The textbooks also skip Tipu Sultan, Hider Ali, and the Anglo-Mysore Wars. Mohammad Suleman, a founding member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, criticized the revisions. He said, 'Those in power, regardless of ideology, are distorting history.' Jagdip Singh Kahlon, General Secretary of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, endorsed the NCERT’s revisions. He said the updated content reflects the historical realities of the Mughal period, particularly the atrocities committed against Sikh Gurus (Sovereigns) and followers. He said, ‘This is a necessary and just decision. The Mughals committed grave atrocities.’ He added successive govts, including during British rule and under the Indian National Congress, whitewashed the Mughal legacy and glorified rulers who, according to him, were responsible for widespread religious persecution. Meanwhile, in Panjab, 31 specialist doctors who pursued post-graduation under the govt quota abruptly resigned without completing the mandatory service period or depositing the stipulated bond amount of USD 58K. Their departure comes at a time when the state is already grappling with an acute shortage of specialist doctors in its public health institutions. The Panjab govt has decided to recruit 100 retired medical specialists through walk-in interviews. The move, however, has sparked criticism from young doctors, who have been waiting for regular appointments since 2022 (earlier coverage).