NCERT eliminates references to the Khalistan demand in Class 12 political science textbooks

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has removed references to the demand for a separate Sikh nation, Khalistan, from the class 12 political science textbook, according to education ministry officials.

Last month, the SGPC claimed that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) had misrepresented historical information about Sikhs in its Class 12 political science textbook.

The objection of the Sikh organisation concerned the mention of the Anandpur Sahib resolution in the book “Politics in India Since Independence.”

The omitted phrases are — “the resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism, but it could also be interpreted as a plea for a separate Sikh nation” and “extreme elements began advocating secession from India and the creation of ‘Khalistan’.”

The statements have been rewritten to read as follows: “the resolution was a call to strengthen federalism.”

“The Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has requested the removal of objectionable content that misrepresents the Sri Anandpur Sahib resolution. NCERT convened a panel of experts to examine the issue, and the final decision was based on the panel’s recommendations “said a senior MoE official.

“The NCERT has released a clarification. While the physical textbooks for the new academic year have already been printed, the digital textbooks will reflect the changes “he added.