Author:
Publication: The Times of India
Date: May 29, 2001
The BJP-led coalition government
came in for embarrassment and severe criticism from a treasury bench member
in the state Assembly when he alleged that a history and civics book for
class eight had described freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad as a member
of a terrorist organisation.
Laxmi Kant Vajpayee (BJP), during
the Question Hour, said the book, published in 1980, carried several mistakes
on Indian history and had not been revised till date.
He also listed certain lapses in
the book which were yet to be rectified and cited the minimum voting age
as 21 as an example.
Demanding action against the editorial
board, Vajpayee said, "through the book, students are being imparted totally
false and baseless education about our history and civics."
Minister for basic education Chandra
Kishore, however, said the mistakes were being corrected and the updated
version of the book will be available from the next academic session in
July.
On Chandra Shekhar Azad's description
as member of the terrorist organisation, Kishore sought to give a different
interpretation for the meaning of terrorist saying it could also mean "one
who fights the enemy".
"However, this concept may not augur
well in today's circumstances when terrorists are taken in a different
meaning," he added.
The minister's remarks drew criticism
from the Opposition, especially the BSP and CPI-M, whose members staged
a walkout on the issue. (PTI)
