A new NCERT supplementary module for Classes 6–12, unveiled on Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, has ignited a fierce political confrontation. The material attributes India’s Partition to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Congress leadership, and Lord Mountbatten, triggering sharp exchanges between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress.
What the Module States
The content underlines that Partition was “not inevitable,” pointing to:
- Jinnah, for demanding it
- Congress, for conceding to it
- Mountbatten, for expediting it
It criticises Mountbatten’s advancement of the transfer of power from June 1948 to August 1947, blaming the rushed timeline for chaotic border demarcations. The module also highlights the displacement of nearly 1.5 crore people, widespread communal massacres, and enduring consequences like the Kashmir conflict.
Perspectives of key leaders are cited:
- Jawaharlal Nehru called Partition a lesser evil compared to civil war
- Sardar Patel described it as “bitter medicine”
- Mahatma Gandhi opposed Partition but accepted it reluctantly to prevent further violence
BJP’s Defence
- BJP leaders have hailed the module as a candid acknowledgment of history.
- Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia dubbed Congress the “Rahul-Jinnah party,” accusing it of carrying forward a politics of appeasement.
- Shehzad Poonawalla argued that Nehru himself justified Partition, claiming Congress is now uncomfortable with those admissions.
- Party posts on X reiterated that “the truth of Partition must be taught” and accused Congress of attempting to obscure its role.
Congress’ Objections
- The opposition has demanded immediate withdrawal of the document, alleging distortion of facts.
- Pawan Khera insisted the Hindu Mahasabha and RSS had been whitewashed from the narrative, calling them the “real culprits” alongside the Muslim League.
- Mallikarjun Kharge wrote, “You can alter textbooks, not history,” branding the move a BJP-RSS agenda.
- Senior leader Sandeep Dikshit challenged NCERT to a public debate, charging the government with using textbooks as political weapons.
Other Responses
- AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi urged inclusion of Muslims Against Partition by Shamsul Islam, stressing that ordinary Muslims, with little electoral representation, were unfairly stigmatised.
- Historian Dr. Om Jee Upadhyay described Partition as one of the world’s “greatest tragedies” and stressed the importance of balanced teaching to help students understand its complexities.
Social Media Storm
The debate has spread beyond Parliament, with hashtags like #NCERTControversy, #PartitionHorrors, and #HistoryDebate trending. Supporters of the BJP praised the module as long-overdue honesty, while Congress backers condemned it as historical manipulation to shield the RSS and vilify Congress. Many users also recalled earlier textbook controversies, including alleged erasure of sections on the Maratha Empire, accusing NCERT of succumbing to political agendas.
The Larger Question
Designed to highlight the human tragedy of Partition, the module has instead deepened political divisions. While the BJP insists it uncovers historical truth, Congress maintains it is a distortion crafted for political mileage. With classrooms now part of the battlefield, the dispute raises a pressing concern: how should India narrate its most painful chapter to future generations?
