Congress objects to NCERT module blaming party for India-Pakistan partition
Delhi: The Congress Party on Saturday raised objections after the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) blamed Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the Congress Party and Lord Mountbatten for the India-Pakistan partition in new educational modules.
The NCERT partition module controversy erupted after the education body released two new modules for classes 6-8 and 9-12 covering the India-Pakistan division. These modules differ from regular textbooks and contain a section titled “Culprits of Partition” that identifies Jinnah as demanding partition, Congress accepting it, and Mountbatten implementing it.
Congress leader Pawan Khera accused the Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim League of orchestrating the partition through collaboration. He stated that RSS remains history’s biggest villain and that generations will not forgive their actions during the 25-year period of silence and collaboration before partition.
Khera criticised senior BJP leader L.K. Advani’s visit to Jinnah’s mausoleum, calling it an act of reverence. The Congress leader alleged that the RSS maintained silence and collaborated during the crucial pre-partition period.
Opposition parties challenge NCERT partition module contents across political spectrum
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav suggested that examining historical pages would reveal who sought apologies, indicating that complete facts would emerge upon scrutiny.
Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit challenged NCERT to a debate, claiming the education body operates under BJP control and lacks knowledge about partition history. He accused the ruling party of manipulating educational content for political purposes.
Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Kumar Jha argued that history cannot be changed through personal opinions and requires complete context. He accused the BJP of employing hate language and expertise in sowing hatred seeds, while asserting that such divisive crops will not grow in the country.
BJP spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla defended the NCERT partition module, stating that the Muslim League, the Nehru-led Congress and Mountbatten held power during partition. He claimed either the Muslim League or the Congress could have prevented partition, citing Nehru’s statements supporting division.
