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Source : (remove) : Mother Jones
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Editorial: Modi govt distorting history

Modi Govt Distorting History: A Critical Examination

In a scathing critique of the current Indian government's approach to historical narratives, the editorial from Telangana Today delves into the systematic efforts by the Modi administration to reshape India's past. The piece argues that under the guise of decolonizing education and promoting national pride, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led regime is engaging in a deliberate distortion of history, which threatens the secular fabric of the nation and undermines academic integrity. This distortion is not merely incidental but part of a broader ideological agenda to align historical accounts with a Hindutva worldview, often at the expense of factual accuracy and inclusivity.

The editorial begins by highlighting recent changes to school textbooks, particularly those overseen by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). It points out how references to the Mughal era, which played a pivotal role in shaping India's cultural and architectural heritage, have been significantly downplayed or omitted. For instance, chapters on the Mughal emperors, their contributions to art, administration, and economy, have been excised from syllabi for classes 11 and 12. This move is portrayed not as an educational reform but as an attempt to erase the legacy of Muslim rulers from the collective memory of young Indians. The editorial questions the rationale behind such deletions, suggesting that they stem from a politically motivated bias rather than pedagogical necessity. By minimizing the Mughals' role, the government is accused of promoting a narrative that glorifies pre-Islamic Hindu kingdoms while vilifying or ignoring centuries of syncretic history that defined medieval India.

Furthermore, the piece extends its criticism to the portrayal of other historical figures and events. It discusses the selective emphasis on figures like Maharana Pratap and Shivaji, who are elevated as symbols of Hindu resistance against foreign invaders, while downplaying the complexities of alliances and conflicts that transcended religious lines. The editorial argues that this binary framing—Hindu heroes versus Muslim oppressors—ignores the nuanced realities of history, such as the collaborations between Hindu and Muslim rulers, or the internal divisions within communities. This approach, it claims, fosters communal division rather than unity, aligning with the BJP's electoral strategy of polarizing voters along religious lines.

A key concern raised is the impact on India's secular ethos. The Constitution of India enshrines secularism as a fundamental principle, yet the editorial contends that these historical revisions undermine it by injecting religious nationalism into education. It draws parallels with global examples, such as how authoritarian regimes in other countries have manipulated history to consolidate power—citing Turkey under Erdogan or Russia under Putin as cautionary tales. In India, this is exacerbated by the government's control over institutions like the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), where appointments are allegedly made based on ideological loyalty rather than scholarly merit. Historians critical of the government's narrative, such as Romila Thapar or Irfan Habib, have faced marginalization, while those aligned with Hindutva ideologies are promoted.

The editorial also addresses the broader implications for democracy and critical thinking. By presenting a sanitized, one-sided version of history, the government is stifling dissent and discouraging students from questioning established narratives. This, it warns, could lead to a generation of citizens who are ill-equipped to engage with India's diverse and pluralistic society. The piece calls for resistance from educators, intellectuals, and civil society to preserve the integrity of historical scholarship. It emphasizes that true patriotism lies in acknowledging the full spectrum of India's history—warts and all—rather than fabricating a mythical past to serve present-day politics.

Delving deeper, the editorial scrutinizes specific instances of distortion. For example, the removal of content on the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and the role of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in that context is highlighted as an effort to whitewash the organization's controversial history. Gandhi's murder by Nathuram Godse, a former RSS member, is a pivotal event that underscores the dangers of communal extremism. By omitting this from textbooks, the government is accused of protecting its ideological forebears from scrutiny. Similarly, references to the 2002 Gujarat riots, which occurred under Modi's watch as chief minister, have been softened or removed, further illustrating a pattern of historical amnesia.

The piece doesn't stop at criticism; it proposes alternatives. It advocates for a balanced curriculum that incorporates multiple perspectives, drawing from diverse sources including colonial records, indigenous texts, and oral histories. It urges the involvement of independent historians in curriculum design to ensure objectivity. Moreover, it calls on opposition parties and state governments to counter these central impositions by developing their own educational materials that reflect a more inclusive history.

In the context of global decolonization efforts, the editorial acknowledges the need to move beyond Eurocentric views of Indian history. However, it argues that the Modi government's version of decolonization is flawed because it replaces one bias with another—colonial narratives with a majoritarian one. True decolonization, it posits, should empower marginalized voices, including those of Dalits, Adivasis, and women, whose histories have long been overlooked. Instead, the current approach reinforces upper-caste Hindu dominance.

The editorial concludes with a stark warning: distorting history is not just an academic issue but a threat to India's democratic foundations. By controlling the past, the government seeks to control the future, shaping public opinion to favor its ideology. It implores citizens to remain vigilant, support independent journalism and scholarship, and demand accountability from leaders. In an era of fake news and misinformation, preserving historical truth is essential for a healthy democracy. This editorial serves as a timely reminder that history is not a tool for political gain but a shared heritage that must be protected for posterity.

(Word count: 852)

Read the Full Telangana Today Article at:
[ https://telanganatoday.com/editorial-modi-govt-distorting-history ]