[New Delhi] Punjab Ruling Shiromani Akali Dal [SAD],Criticizing 1st PM, Demands Domesticity In Indian Medieval History Curriculum
SAD today demanded a review of history contending that aspects related to India’s past had been ignored in educational curriculum and wondered how the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru made a “mistake” in this regard.
Akali Dal member Prem Singh Chandumajra said foreign version of history has been given preference over the domestic version and in effect the contribution of national heroes has been ignored in books.
“There should be a review of history so that it is corrected,” he said while participating in a debate on Demand for Grants for HRD Ministry in Lok Sabha.
To buttress his point, he said Babur, who founded Mughal Empire in India, was “an invader” but he has been described as a “ruler”. He questioned that if Babur was the ruler, then what was the role of Guru Nanak who had described him as “jaabar” (oppressor).
Aurangzeb has also been described as a “ruler” even though Guru Teg Bahadur had “sacrificed” his life while “confronting him (Aurangzeb) to protect ‘janaeu’ (holy Hindu thread)”, Chandumajra said.
He added that Maharaja Ranjeet Singh had also fought against invaders and closed the Khyber pass but his role was suppressed in history.
“Nehru was a good person but I don’t know how he made the mistake or may be he got influenced,” the Akali member said.
He also wanted regional languages to be encouraged by giving them priority in usage, arguing that languages unite rather than divide.
Appearing to target Congress, he said “they have kept nation divided by making people fight over languages”, as he pointed towards the opposition benches.