The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has reportedly deemed the removal of the mention of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from a textbook to be too minor to be notified. The controversy surrounding the removal of the reference to the RSS from a class 9 political science textbook had sparked outrage among right-wing groups, who had demanded the ban of the book.
The NCERT, however, has reportedly stated that the removal of the reference to the RSS was done in accordance with the syllabus and the book’s content, and was not a major change that required notification. The Council has also reportedly stated that the removal of the reference was not meant to be a comment on the RSS or its ideology.
The controversy surrounding the removal of the reference to the RSS had erupted after the book, titled “Democratic Politics”, was updated and reprinted in 2020. The original reference to the RSS had described it as a “right-wing, nationalist, non-secular organization”, but the updated version had removed the mention of the RSS altogether.
The move had sparked outrage among right-wing groups, who had accused the NCERT of promoting a left-wing, anti-Hindu agenda. Some groups had even called for the book to be banned, claiming that it was biased and presented a distorted view of Indian history and politics.
The NCERT’s decision not to notify the removal of the reference to the RSS is likely to further fuel controversy and debate around the issue. However, the Council’s decision is in line with its policy of making minor updates and changes to textbooks without seeking approval or notification from external parties.
