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Journalism of Courage
A shrinking group of eminent thinkers, authors and progressives are aggrieved and angry. They thought they would be brought back at the speed of lightening and installed ceremoniously in the seats of power they had occupied for decades together without any interruption. Alas, that was not to be. Whatever little they have gathered so far is naturally unsatisfactory, not up to their expectations and stature.
Their first war cry is the immediate annihilation of 250-odd textbooks prepared in response to the Curriculum Framework for School Education, approved by the Supreme Court of India in September 2000. They have, for the time being, condescended to focus only on social sciences and history. It is disappointing that even these are to continue in the 8216;current8217; academic session. They are to be 8220;supported8221; by reference books prepared 30 years ago. So what if children will now read about East Pakistan instead of Bangladesh and continue to imbibe information about the great USSR without getting any idea that it had actually bitten the dust.
These pillars of the new establishment have declared themselves as 8220;non-political8221; for decades together, although some of them are card-holding academics, and others gave their full-throated support to a particular political party just before the general elections this May. But then for them the truth is always red. Events did take a very interesting turn this May with the election results in. Even those among the secularists who had reconciled themselves to remaining in oblivion for the rest of their lives suddenly saw sunshine dawn upon them. They rushed to declare it as a mandate for a takeover.
Within days, the flock had come together and their loud chirping was audible everywhere 8212; particularly in the sympathetic national media. Their plans and programmes were ready within no time. They themselves were ready. To be appointed. To be included. To shoulder responsibilities. To serve the downtrodden. Vacancies must be created forthwith. Heads must roll. The lists of crimes of the 8220;guilty8221; were ready and available 8212; free of cost. Those who perceived every educational change not involving them as the 8220;Talibanisation of education8221; were busy suggesting the 8220;right8221; individuals who could serve the 8220;left8221; cause. A new word now made its appearance in the discourse: 8220;detoxification8221;. This becomes Priority Number One. A committee is set up to 8220;detoxify8221; books. Another searches for new meanings for the word 8220;detoxification8221;. A third launches a massive search for evidence of 8220;communalisation8221; in the existing textbooks I could have suggested several more if only they had consulted me!.
But first things first. The history books recently introduced must be withdrawn forthwith. These books highlight the Indian ethos and India8217;s contribution to world civilisation. They do not denigrate Maharana Pratap, Shivaji, Guru Govind Singh Sahib And Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and other illustrious persons. In these books, Bhagat Singh is not a 8220;revolutionary terrorist8221; 8212; an interesting coinage indeed.
Today, a secular educational plan for the benefit of the nation has been released by a group of eminent ones. The first and foremost point of action perceived for the future is that all appointments, postings, promotions and transfers in the long list of institutions and organisations must be inquired into and appropriate remedial action taken urgently.
A grateful nation must now pay tribute to this novel idea.
It has the potential of keeping everyone busy for a full five years.
The writer is former director, NCERT
