To Include Modern Movements, Panel Decides To Erase Marxist Figures From Textbooks
Kolkata: Mamata Banerjee is now taking ‘poribartan’ to Bengal’s school history syllabus by advocating that communism be erased from textbooks. Texts are to be rewritten to paper over roles of Marx, Engels and the Bolsheviks and highlight modern democratic movements, according to a recommendation of a syllabus reform committee.
The Left protested the move, but officials insisted it had nothing to do with politics and aimed to correct the “lopsided’’ syllabus followed during the Left rule. “It is a complete misconception that we are doing away with Marxist movements or communism from history. In our recommendations, we have only suggested including democratic movements, invasions by various explorers and the 20th century history,’’ said syllabus reform committee chairman Avik Mazumdar said on Thursday. “While elaborating on the theme, we have brought in Latin America, China as well as various movements in India. Also, Bangladesh andSri Lanka have been included keeping in mind their significance in the post 1947 era.’’
The panel’s recommendations will be submitted next week.
“Marx, I believe should be studied as a historical phenomenon but not at the expense of the Mahatma and not at the expense of Mandela,” said Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien in a comment on a social networking site. He added the move was a corrective one and not an attempt to doctor history.
Mazumdar said the present syllabus only highlights communist movements. “We have omitted Russian revolution, but kept Lenin and the Chinese revolution in the syllabus. If we had any intention to leave out communism, then why did we include Chinese revolution, Lenin?’’ said Mazumdar. “It is unfair if the children are only taught about these theories and do not have any understanding of Green Revolution, Chipko movement or Nelson Mandela.’’ He said Marx and Engels were not “great” characters in history, but they have been taught since they are part of the syllabus of approach to history. “Lenin is still relevant for his contribution on imperialism. So are few others. It is unfair to claim that we have kept communism away.”
CPM leaders have strongly reacted to the move. “The students and parents of Bengal will give a fitting reply to such acts,” said CPM politburo member Brinda Karat, accusing the TMC of launching an “assault on the democratic principles accepted by all’’.
Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Surjyakanta Mishra said he was yet to go through the committee’s recommendations. “What I gathered from the media is alarming.’’
Times View
Even if one disagrees with Marx's ideology, there can be no doubt that he is one of the most influential figures in modern world history, affecting millions of people across several countries for many years. As such, it makes little sense to blank him out from history textbooks. Besides, once we begin tampering with history to suit our personal predilections, we go down an exceedingly slippery slope. We owe it to our children to give them as unbiased and accurate a knowledge of history as possible.
The Left protested the move, but officials insisted it had nothing to do with politics and aimed to correct the “lopsided’’ syllabus followed during the Left rule. “It is a complete misconception that we are doing away with Marxist movements or communism from history. In our recommendations, we have only suggested including democratic movements, invasions by various explorers and the 20th century history,’’ said syllabus reform committee chairman Avik Mazumdar said on Thursday. “While elaborating on the theme, we have brought in Latin America, China as well as various movements in India. Also, Bangladesh andSri Lanka have been included keeping in mind their significance in the post 1947 era.’’
The panel’s recommendations will be submitted next week.
“Marx, I believe should be studied as a historical phenomenon but not at the expense of the Mahatma and not at the expense of Mandela,” said Trinamool MP Derek O’Brien in a comment on a social networking site. He added the move was a corrective one and not an attempt to doctor history.
Mazumdar said the present syllabus only highlights communist movements. “We have omitted Russian revolution, but kept Lenin and the Chinese revolution in the syllabus. If we had any intention to leave out communism, then why did we include Chinese revolution, Lenin?’’ said Mazumdar. “It is unfair if the children are only taught about these theories and do not have any understanding of Green Revolution, Chipko movement or Nelson Mandela.’’ He said Marx and Engels were not “great” characters in history, but they have been taught since they are part of the syllabus of approach to history. “Lenin is still relevant for his contribution on imperialism. So are few others. It is unfair to claim that we have kept communism away.”
CPM leaders have strongly reacted to the move. “The students and parents of Bengal will give a fitting reply to such acts,” said CPM politburo member Brinda Karat, accusing the TMC of launching an “assault on the democratic principles accepted by all’’.
Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Surjyakanta Mishra said he was yet to go through the committee’s recommendations. “What I gathered from the media is alarming.’’
Times View
Even if one disagrees with Marx's ideology, there can be no doubt that he is one of the most influential figures in modern world history, affecting millions of people across several countries for many years. As such, it makes little sense to blank him out from history textbooks. Besides, once we begin tampering with history to suit our personal predilections, we go down an exceedingly slippery slope. We owe it to our children to give them as unbiased and accurate a knowledge of history as possible.
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