Controversy Arises Over New NCERT Module Accusing Congress Partially in Account of India's Partition
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced a special educational module for schools, delving into the causes and consequences of India's Partition. This module sheds light on the roles of key players in the event, painting a vivid picture of the human tragedy that unfolded.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the leader of the Muslim League, is identified as the one who demanded the partition, asserting that Hindus and Muslims were fundamentally different communities with separate social and cultural identities. His 1940 Lahore Resolution is a significant part of the module's content.
The Indian National Congress, on the other hand, is presented as the party that accepted the partition. This reluctant acceptance was driven by a desire to avoid civil war and widespread chaos. Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, key Congress leaders, both supported the idea.
Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of British India, is criticized for his "hasty" power transfer, which the module calls a "major blunder." Mountbatten advanced the date for the transfer of power from June 1948 to August 1947, a decision that worsened the ensuing turmoil.
The Partition boundaries were drawn in haste, with Sir Cyril Radcliffe given just five weeks to demarcate them. The haste led to confusion, particularly in Punjab, where millions were unsure whether they were in India or Pakistan even two days after August 15, 1947.
The module also underscores the humanitarian crisis that ensued. Over 6 lakh people lost their lives due to communal violence, and millions were left homeless, forced to live as refugees in their own land. Women faced unimaginable atrocities during Partition, with some choosing to end their lives to preserve their honor.
Jawaharlal Nehru, in acknowledging the partition as "bad," expressed that it was deemed the lesser evil compared to the potential cost of civil war and continued conflict. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel believed that the situation in India had become so volatile that it was better to accept Partition than risk a full-scale civil war.
The long-term impact of Partition is also highlighted, noting that it turned Kashmir into a major security issue, a problem that continues to shape India’s foreign policy.
[1] NCERT Module on Partition Horrors Remembrance Day [2] Role of Key Players in the Partition of India [3] Jawaharlal Nehru's Perspective on Partition [4] Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's View on Partition [5] Criticism of Lord Mountbatten's Handling of India's Partition
- The Education-and-self-development section of General News might discuss the NCERT's introduction of a special educational module, entitled "Role of Key Players in the Partition of India," which delves into the roles of leaders like Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and Lord Mountbatten during India's Partition, shedding light on their significant contributions and the impact of their decisions.
- In the political sphere, the Indian National Congress, in contrast to the Muslim League's advocacy for partition, is often highlighted as the party that reluctantly accepted the partition, a decision driven by a desire to avoid civil war and widespread chaos, as detailed in the NCERT's partition module, "NCERT Module on Partition Horrors Remembrance Day."
