RSS leader: Akbar, Tipu no longer called 'great' in NCERT history textbooks

Nagpur: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Sunil Ambekar on Friday said many positive changes have been introduced in history textbooks, and epithet 'the great' is no longer used to describe Mughal emperor Akbar or Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan.

Although the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has brought these changes, "nobody has been removed" from these textbooks, as the new generation should know their cruel deeds.

Ambekar was addressing a gathering at the Orange City Literature festival organised by SGR Knowledge Foundation here.

Meanwhile, in another development, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday called for social unity during a meet with tribal leaders in Imphal, reiterating that the organisation is a "purely dedicated to strengthening society."

Addressing a gathering on the second day of his three-day visit to Manipur, Bhagwat told the gathering that the "Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is not against anybody; it is not formed to destroy, but to fulfill society".

He added that the "Sangh neither engages in politics nor remote-controls any organisation. RSS works only through friendship, affection and social harmony."

Emphasising Bharat's civilisational continuity, Bhagwat said, "We are united because of our shared consciousness. Despite our beautiful diversity, we belong to one civilisational family. Unity does not demand uniformity."

Tipu Sultan, Haidar Ali, Anglo-Mysore wars omitted in NCERT class 8 textbook

The Class 8 Social Science textbook, released in August, by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has drawn attention for omitting references to Tipu Sultan, Haidar Ali, and the Anglo-Mysore wars of the 1700s.

In response to questions raised in Parliament, the Union government clarified that states have the flexibility to include more extensive coverage of regional personalities and events in their own textbooks.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary said, "The respective State Government may adopt or adapt NCERT textbooks or develop their own textbooks based on the National Curriculum Framework. The states have the flexibility to provide more coverage about regional personalities and events in their textbooks."