Removing Azad from textbooks: Fraternity Movement says NCERT acting on RSS’ behest
Umar Faruq Quadri has criticized NCERT's decision to remove a reference to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad from the Class 11 political science textbook
By Newsmeter Network Published on 17 April 2023 3:22 AM GMT
Hyderabad: National Vice President of Fraternity Movement Umar Faruq Quadri has criticized NCERT's decision to remove a reference to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad from the Class 11 political science textbook.
Faruq, who was President of the MANUU Students Union from 2019 to 2020, said Azad's omission from textbooks is another manifestation of the communal mentality.
He said the decision undermines the legacy of Azad, a nationalist hero who helped shape Indian education policy.
“This is not the first time that references to Azad have been removed. In 2022, the Ministry of Minority Affairs decided to discontinue Maulana Azad Fellowship (MANF) which provided financial assistance to Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Parsi, and Sikh students to pursue MPhil and Ph.D.” Faruq said.
He said Maulana Azad was a driving force behind significant reforms such as free and compulsory elementary education for all children up to age 14. He was a founding member of the UGC, Jamia Millia Islamia, and other higher educational institutions including the Indian Institutes of Technology, the Indian Institute of Science, and the School of Planning and Architecture.
“I am certain that NCERT is acting at the behest of RSS and promoting an anti-Muslim agenda. Removing Azad from textbooks is a clear attempt to diminish Muslim leaders' contributions and maintain the RSS's dominating narrative. I encourage the NCERT to reconsider its judgment and include the contributions of leaders such as Azad in textbooks” Faruq concludes.
