NCERT textbook revised; Congress’ partition stance tweaked, Hitler references removed

New Delhi: The revised edition of the NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook has introduced several changes, including modifications to the description of the Congress’ position on the 1947 Partition and the removal of references to Adolf Hitler and Nazi ideology.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) released the updated version of “Exploring Society: India and Beyond” this week, months after the earlier edition faced controversy over allegations of making remarks that could undermine the judiciary.

The revised textbook removes the disputed portions related to the judiciary, including references to judicial delays and major court verdicts. It also adds new sections explaining Public Interest Litigation (PIL), tribunals and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

However, the changes extend beyond the judiciary chapter. In the history chapter titled “India’s Long Road to Independence”, the revised edition states that Partition was “widely opposed even by the Indian National Congress” and adds that whether accepting it was “the only way forward” remains a matter of debate.

The earlier version had stated that "the Congress leaders were helpless as communal massacres engulfed the subcontinent during Partition". That sentence has now been removed.

The revised textbook also includes a reference to V.D. Savarkar’s demand for Swaraj, stating that “a similar demand for Swaraj was expressed by VD Savarkar in 1925”.

References to Hitler and Nazi ideology have been removed from the section on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The previous edition mentioned that Bose sought Hitler’s support to raise an army and described the German leader’s racist Nazi ideology and expansionist ambitions. The revised version instead says Bose sought support from “anti-British forces”.

The changes come after the Supreme Court intervened earlier this year over the textbook’s content related to the judiciary. The court had directed that the physical and digital copies of the textbook be withdrawn, following which NCERT issued an apology.

The revised edition notes that Chapter 4, “The Role of the Judiciary in Society”, was rewritten by an expert committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Education in compliance with the Supreme Court’s directions.

The updated textbook’s acknowledgements also show changes in the development team, with the names of Michel Danino, Suparna Diwakar and Alok Prasanna Kumar removed from the list of contributors.

JNU historian on freedom struggle debate

“Attempts to portray the Congress as responsible for Partition through a distorted interpretation of history have emerged from BJP-RSS circles earlier as well. The RSS did not participate in the freedom struggle. The Communists were also not part of the mainstream freedom movement. Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress were the ones who envisioned and fought for freedom that ultimately succeeded.

The idea of Swaraj gained prominence during the time of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Later, leaders of the national movement propagated it. Instead of recognising these leaders and the Congress, the RSS is attempting to portray Hindutva-oriented leaders and movements as the main forces behind the freedom struggle,” said Dr Burton Cleetus, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.