Amidst the ongoing stir by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a group of Sikh intellectuals and historians on Tuesday said the history books of Classes 11 and 12 by private publishers and cleared by Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), in place for a decade till the last academic session, presented Sikh history, especially of the gurus, in a “distorted” form. They demanded registration of a case for “hurting the religious sentiments of the Sikhs” against those responsible. Calling the books “private scandalous” and students “the victims of the scandal”, they also demanded a vigilance probe into the matter. In a press conference, Kendri Singh Sabha chief Gurpreet Singh, Sikh intellectual Gurtej Singh and historian Professor Gurdarshan Singh Dhillon put both the previous SAD-BJP government and incumbent Congress dispensation in Punjab under scanner. After SAD protested against the alleged distortions, five chapters in the revised history book of 10+2, which had been uploaded on the PSEB website in the current academic session, was withdrawn on the directions of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. The CM had directed to use the existing books till a group of experts rectifies the “errors” in the revised one. “For the last 10 years, the students were being taught distorted Sikh history. Will our community tolerate this? We also protest against the government move to use the existing books,” said Gurpreet. “History moulds the character of students. The existing books should be immediately banned,” he added. Pointing out that books with “distorted history” continued to be in place in the 10-year rule of SAD-BJP, he said, “A case under Section 295-A of Indian Penal Code should be registered against those responsible.” Professor Dhillon said these are private scandalous books, not written by first-rate scholars. Dhillon described Short History of Sikhs, jointly authored by Dr Ganda Singh and Principal Teja Singh, as the best book, which should be referred to, while writing the textbooks of Classes 11 and 12. He said Gurtej and he were ready to write books in 10 to 12 days, if allowed by the government. Gurtej said the Sikh history cannot be seen through the eyes of opponents and detractors who were pro-Mughals. Dhillon said that those who cleared the books were “either unfair or incapable”. Referring to the chapters, which have been withdrawn, Dhillon said two experts from SGPC, who were part of the expert committee, should have written a detailed dissenting note if they had any issues. “The books were too voluminous and unnecessarily burdened the innocent students. The books run into nearly 700 pages. There should be 80 to 90-page books, which should be very clear,” he said, adding that in one academic session, there were 1.5-2 lakh students in both the classes and that they had to pay Rs 450 for a book. Calling it a “plunder”, the Sikh scholars said crores of rupees were looted from the students and they were taught “trash”. “If Amarinder is sincere, he should give the case to Vigilance Bureau,” they said. Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee Intellectual Cell vice chairman, who was also present, said he would take up the matter with the government to shorten the book as suggested by the scholars. “It should also be ensured that the book is thoroughly vetted,” he said. SAD spokesperson and former education minister Daljit Singh Cheema said the criminal negligence and sinful act, which happened twice in the current academic session, cannot be condoned. On the distortions pointed out by the Sikh scholars in the books in use for a decade, Cheema said these are academic level decisions made at PSEB level, where experts clear the books of private publishers. “There is no political input.” On why then SAD was targeting the Congress, he said, “We are not asking to register a case against the CM. We are only saying that he should morally apologise since it happened for the second time and that action should be taken against those responsible.” Education Minister O P Soni said, “In the next session, we will ensure that all flaws are rectified.”
