Vaishakh Krushna Chaturthi
By Staff Reporter
See detail news
The front page of History text book: Effort to show ‘Bharat’ as a Muslim dominated country
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The front page of the history text book for 10th standard has a picture related to Muslim culture. There is also some matter written in Urdu. One can see that every effort is made to show that as if history of ‘Bharat’ starts with Muslim rulers. There was Hindu culture in the country and the history of India is so ancient which has been accepted by all nations. The Greek, Egyptian and Roman cultures have since perished; but Bharatiya culture has sustained despite facing several assaults. Bharatiya history goes way back before Mughal Rule. One can therefore, say that the front page has been created only to please Muslims and to take care of their religious sentiments.
History of ‘Bharat’ has been presented under the title ‘India and contemporary world’ After considering the title and subject, one may note the following things. In this book, it appears as if the history of contemporary world starts from the year 1848. If history is to be studied from the year 1848, there was British Rule and Britishers had taken over from Hindus. The purpose behind showing the picture of Muslim rulers should be clarified by the SSC Board and concerned experts in the field.
Goa SSC Board and NCERT show Lokmanya Tilak as a secular leader
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This is the picture of Lokmanya Tilak on page 46 in the chapter ‘Awareness towards togetherness’. In this, symbols of worship from all religions have been shown all around as border of the picture and there is the following bracket on the side of the picture.
‘Picture -11, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, in the beginning of the 20th century. Note the various symbols on the sides of the picture. The picture in the centre is surrounded by holy places of different religions (e.g. temple, church, mosque).
There is a reference of mosque but the picture is of ‘Taj Mahal’ instead of mosque. In this whole chapter, there is no mention of Lokmanya Tilak; but effort has been made to show him as a secular leader. Lokmanya Tilak tried to bring Hindus together; but there is no mention of it anywhere in the chapter. He started public celebration of religious festivals like Ganeshotsava and Shiva-jayanti. He wrote the famous book ‘Geeta Rahasya’ when he was in the jail at Mandalay. He used to say that he was born as a Hindu and he would die as a Hindu. The effort of SSC Board to depict Lokmanya Tilak as a secular leader, therefore, appears so foolish. Propagation of equality of all religions and secularism, in 20th century, was made not by Tilak but by Gandh; but Goa SSC Board and NCERT are bent upon putting forth wrong history.
Examples of distorted and Anti-Hindu
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Updates
- NCERT Books to carry Sachar Committee findings (24 May 08)
- NCERT issue: Can’t punish culprits of textbook mistakes: Goa CM (12 Apr 08)
- NCERT: Chairman gets ‘bangles’ for supporting ‘distorted’ history (29 Mar 08)
- Implement textbook according to the history of ancient Bharat: HJS (28 Mar 08)
- NCERT books copy burnt, Protestors block the road! (26 Mar 08)
- NCERT: Emotional explosion of Shivsainiks, Chairmen surrounded, nameplate damaged! (25 Mar 08)
- NCERT book issue: Goa Govt. admits flaws, Punish Guilty: HJS (25 Mar 08)
- NCERT book issue: Fight against anti-history to make history: HJS spokesperson (24 Mar 08)
- Photos: HJS’s meeting at Madgaon for awareness of NCERT book issue(24 Mar 08)
- HJS preparing for nation wide agitations against NCERT(23 Mar 08)
- NCERT book issue: HJS submits memorandum to Goa CM (23 Mar 08)
- NCERT book issue: Goa Govt. is playing with future of student(22 Mar 08)
- NCERT’s textbook for class X students has serious errors: HJS raises issue (21 Mar 08)
NCERT Books to carry Sachar Committee findings
March 24, 2008
Vaishakh Krushna Chaturthi
New Delhi: The recently-launched textbook by National Council of Education Research & Training for class VIII titled "Social and Political Life" is to deal with the issue of marginalization for the first time in India at school level. The book covers findings by Sachar Committee Report, a report that examined the social, economic and educational status of Muslims in the country.
Speaking on the new unique development, Mr. M. V. S. V. Prasad, a lecturer of Department of Social Sciences and Humanities at NCERT and the coordinator of the new series of books says, "The unit on marginalization has been introduced for the first time in the syllabus of Class VIII. The idea is to talk about the entire concept of marginalization, which is being experienced in various parts of the country today".
In an topic titled, "Minorities and Marginalisation" the class VIII book says that after recognizing that Muslims were lagging behind in terms of various development indicators, the Government had set up a high-level committee in 2005 to be chaired by Justice Rajinder Sachar. Moreover, the chapter also indicates the students that the report recommended that social, economical and educational indicators, the situation of the Muslim community is comparable to that of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The book further states that, how the Sachar committee report deflated other rampant folklore about Muslims.
The book is part of third phase of restructuring of books for class V and VIII. The newly-established textbook also throws insights on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy that took place about 24 years ago and narrates the stories of many of the survivors of the ill-fated tragedy.
The new book is available online on NCERT Website: www.ncert.nic.in and are also scheduled to be available at the counters by mid-April.
Source: indiaedunews.net
NCERT issue: Cant’t punish culprits of textbook mistakes: Goa CM
April 12, 2008
Chaitra Shudha Navami
Panaji: As the Goa Shalant Mandal is an autonomous body, neither the education minister nor the chief minister can intervene in its affairs and there are no laws that allow such intervention! So those who commit mistakes in this field cannot be punished. With these words, the chief minister and education minister of Goa, Shri Digambar Kamat expresses his helplessness in a press conference here while replying to a question of a reporter. (Why do we require such a democracy that produces chief minister without teeth! – Editor) He informed that a three-member committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the educationist Shri Suresh Amonkar to make improvements in the 10th standard text book for ‘History and Politics’. (But who will pay for the expenditure of the three-member committee and the expenditure required for printing the books again? If the amount of the government treasury were used, it would amount to looting of the people. The people should take the government to task! – Editor)
“When an error takes place in the field of education, no one person is responsible for that. There are a number of experts involved. (By this utterance the chief minister is only trying to save the chairman of the Mandal Shri L.M.T. Fernandes and all those who are responsible for making the errors. So the people will have to examine the truth in his statement that there is no provision in law for punishing such culprits! – Editor). Principal and teachers of some schools had demanded removal of the Mandal’s chairman Shri L.M.T. Fernandes; but as the Educational Board is an autonomous body, we cannot remove anyone easily. If any one is aware of the laws to punish such culprits, they should bring it to our notice. We shall immediately take action on the chairman,” said Shri Kamat.
Demand for my removal is politically motivated!: L.M.T. Fernandes
Panaji (Goa): “No man is perfect. He always commits mistakes. (This line of thinking of Shri Fernandes shows that he is not aware of the difference between a mistake and a blunder! For the unpardonable mistakes that have occurred in the controversial history book, the word blunder is also too soft. – Editor) But when the mistakes are noticed, they should be corrected. Some people have told me that there are mistakes in the text book of ‘history and politics’ for 10th standard. Now the Mandal has decided a revised version of the book. So the demand for my removal from the chairmanship of the Mandal is politically motivated. There is no truth in it. In spite of so much opposition, I am still surviving the controversy; because God knows everything,” boasted Shri L.M.T. Fernandes, chairman of Goa Shalant Mandal while speaking to the reporters. (No wonder, when the chief minister himself shows his helplessness, Shri Fernandes is audacious enough to boast in this manner! The people should teach him a lesson to Shri Fernandes who boasts in this manner despite a state-wide agitation against him and a gift of bangles by the lady parents to him! – Editor).
G.B.S. & H.S.E. Chairman gets ‘bangles’ for supporting ‘distorted’ history text
Phalgun Krushna Saptami
 One parent of SSC student going at Chairmen room for giving him bangals |
Panaji (Goa): Angry lady parents of Std. X students protested against the G.B.S. & H.S.E.’s Std. X ‘History & Civics’ textbook that reflects its disorderly, Marathi-hating attitude that has caused potential harm to the academic life, consequently, the future of students. In protest, they staged a ‘Baangdya Bharo’ agitation. The infuriated lady parents went into the G.B.S. & H.S.E.’s Chairman Shri. L.M.T. Fernandes’ office and presented him with bangles. At this time, Shri. Fernandes assured the agitators that, ‘In the next academic year, before implementing the ‘textbook’, it will be given for review to educationists and the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS), which has earlier complained in this regard; also the next ‘textbook’ will be in the interest of the people of Goa’. (Congratulations to the lady parents for participating in the agitation against the ‘distorted’ history textbook! – Editor)
The agitation began in the morning. At the beginning, the lady agitators expressed their wish to meet the G.B.S. & H.S.E.’s chairman Shri. L.M.T. Fernandes. At this time, only 5 ladies were allowed to meet him. In the course of the discussion between the delegation and Shri. Fernandes, the ladies shot a series of question regarding the controversial textbook. Why was there a delay in issuing the said textbook to schools? What kind of values does the G.B.S. & H.S.E. intend to give students by insulting BharatMata in the said book? Likewise, what kind of values does the Board want to impress on the student’s minds by denigrating deities through pictures printed therein? were the questions asked. To this, Shri. Fernandes tried to beat around the bush by giving vague replies. Later he said, ‘We have accepted that the book contains errors, which is why, we are trying to rectify the errors contained in the said book.’ 30 ladies had participated in this agitation.
A letter regarding the textbook will be sent to the Central Government within a week! – Education Secretary
Panaji (Goa): With regard to the ‘distorted’ history textbook, the group of lady agitators met the Education Secretary, Shri. C.P. Tripathi and demanded that the incorrect text contained in the said textbook be rectified. At this time, Shri. Tripathi assured the women delegation that, ‘The said ‘textbook’ contains distorted history and efforts are being made to rectify them. Textbooks should give good values to students. Values play a key role in a child’s upbringing. It takes a lot of time to impress correct values in the minds of children. This battle is against the history textbook and everybody will have to fight it. With regard to the said textbook, the Goa Government is going to send a letter to the Central Government in the following week.’ Shri. Tripathi agreed to give a copy of this letter to the women delegation. When asked about the Chairman of the G.B.S. & H.S.E. Shri. L.M.T. Fernandes, Shri. Tripathi said, ‘I have received complaints against Shri. Fernandes. An inquiry has been initiated in this regard and we will take action soon.’
Implement textbook according to the history of ancient Bharat: HJS
March 28, 2008
Phalgun Krushna Shashthi
Following is the representation given to The H’ble Chief Minister & Education Minister by HJS
The G.B.S. & H.S.E. had made available the Std. X ‘History and Civics’ book for Marathi medium students just 44 days prior to the Board examination towards the end of the academic year and after repeated reminders from parents! The said book contains innumerable and horrid grammatical errors. The preface given by Mr. Fernandes, Chairman of the G.B.S. & H.S.E. itself contains 67 errors. This gives one an idea of the overall content of the book. Many sentences of text mentioned in the book carry no meaning at all. In this book, Mahatma Gandhi ji has been referred disrespectfully in the first person. (Copies of related text have been attached herewith) The book contains mention of the word ‘Dalit’ that has been declared unconstitutional and its use has been restricted by the Central Scheduled Caste and Tribe Commission. The book contains a picture of Gen. Henry Navarre while smoking! What kind of values does the G.B.S. & H.S.E. want to impress on the student’s minds? The instructions on the usage of this book intended for Marathi medium students have been given entirely in English under the title ‘How to use this book’! Almost all pictures and maps in the book have been labeled in English. Is this not an attempt by the G.B.S. & H.S.E. to harass Marathi-medium students and trap them in the ‘tentacles’ of English by force? History has been presented in a distorted form in this book. Care has been taken to ensure that this book will create disrespect for Hindu Dharma in the minds of students; also it will conceal the radiant history of India from them! This episode puts light on the disorderly, Marathi-hating attitude of the G.B.S. & H.S.E.; so also it highlights the potential harm to be caused to the academic life, consequently, the future of students.
Inspite of demanding justice in this case of misadministration, the Goa government has not paid any heed. Thus, the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has had to stage an agitation in association with Marathi-lovers, history-lovers, parents, teachers, principals, students and devout Hindus. During the course of this agitation, in answer to the point of objection raised by BJP MLA Francis D’souza in the Goa Legislative Assembly, you have agreed that this book contains innumerable mistakes, as made public by the media. At that time, you had assured that this book shall be re-printed and a committee shall be constituted. However, from past experience, it is known that most of the times, the government constitutes fake committees to save its skin and pass the buck on an immediate basis. These ‘committees’ comprise of persons hand-in-glove with the government. Thus, such ‘committees’ do not arrive at any solution for years together and thrive on the tax payer’s money like parasites. In this regard, in order to ensure that the committee declared to be set up by you does not follow suit as mentioned above and the future of students is saved, the HJS puts forth the following demands before your government. The HJS appeals to your government to take an immediate decision and publicly announce it to the people.
HJS’ demands to the government with regard to the ‘Textbook’
- The said ‘textbook’ was not made available in time. As a result, the students’ minds’ have been stressed. They have to face the forthcoming exams in this stressful condition. The committee should determine as to who is responsible for this.
- The committee should also determine as to who is responsible for the financial loss caused out of the taxpayer’s money due to withdrawal of the incorrect book and re-printing of a new book.
- The said ‘book’ is giving wrong values to students as it contains a distorted version of history, innumerable grammatical errors, picture of a person smoking a cigarette, etc. The committee should also determine who is responsible for these mistakes.
- The committee should publicly declare as to who was responsible for drafting, publishing and distributing the said ‘book’, the cost incurred in the process, also, who is going to make good this loss and how?
- The CM has agreed in the Legislative Assembly that there are many mistakes in the said ‘book’. In that case, why were the culprits not punished immediately, when will they be punished and what punishment shall be meted out to them? The CM should publicly answer these questions and penalize the culprits in this regard to make good the loss incurred for creating, publishing and distributing the said ‘book’.
- The said Marathi-medium ‘textbook’ has been created on the basis of the book published for the English-medium. The committee should put light on the fact that if the Marathi textbook contains so many mistakes then how many does the English textbook contain!
- The government should declare its policy in precise terms with regard to the textbooks of Std. V to Std. X as they contain similar mistakes.
- The government should declare, while the legislative assembly is in session, as to which members shall be appointed in the committee that the government has declared to constitute in this regard, likewise what shall be the time-frame and the scope of the committee’s activities.
- The enquiry committee to be constituted as declared by the government should comprise of educationist and historians. Also, the committee should be given a time-bound program to ensure that students do not suffer due to delay in the implementation of its decision in the next academic year.
- Apart for rectifying the grammatical errors contained in this book, the distorted history should also be wholly discarded.
- All the content and pictures criticizing religion, offending the religious sentiments of Hindus and impressing wrong values on the minds of students be removed.
- This book emphasises foreign history to such an extent that the entire book has been filled up with it. Thus, this creates an impression that our ancient Indian land has no history of its’ own! So, there is a need to include foreign history only to a limited extent and exclude the rest. This book should contain the history of Goa, the Portuguese invasion and the consequent revolution by freedom fighters of Goa, information about ‘Inquisition’, information about freedom fighters who participated in Goa liberation, also that of great personalities who have contributed a great deal to the nation.
- The Government should publicly declare the list of mistakes that exist in the books of other lower standards.
- The government has decided to implement the ‘N.C.E.R.T.’ syllabus in certain standards from the next year. The government should declare what precautions it intends to exercise to avoid such mistakes in the books here onwards.
- The G.B.S. & H.S.E. has not yet made available the Std. X Geography book till date, although the Std. X exams are scheduled to start from the 29th March. The government should declare what decision it is going to take in this regard.
- Several pages of the said controversial ‘book’ contain an unnecessary ‘+’ sign that resembles the Christian cross. Since the colored pages emphasise the importance of the text contained therein, there is no necessity of putting the above said sign. Since this sign is not in accordance with the secular principles of the government, it should be removed.
- All the ‘History & Civics’ textbooks of all standards published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (N.C.E.R.T.) be discarded as they contain a distorted version of history and do not include the history of Goa.
The ex-Prime Minister of India, Late Lal Bahadur Shastri, had immediately resigned from his post of the Railway Minister, taking responsibility of a rail mishap. It is due to this sincerity of his that even today, his name is remembered with respect. Considering the present scenario, existing facts, such as the apathy and casual outlook of the Goa government and the G.B.S. & H.S.E., despite innumerable errors and an on-going intense agitation, are symbolic evidences of the degradation of politics in Goa. The ‘N.C.E.R.T.’ syllabus has become a controversial issue in various states of the country. To sum up, it can be concluded that this ‘syllabus’ is one that presents history of Goa in a distorted form, creates confusion in the minds of students and having no connection with regional identity and pride. The said book is enough evidence of the truth with respect to the objections raised in various states with regard to the ‘N.C.E.R.T’ syllabus.
Thus, the Goa government should not accept ‘N.C.E.R.T.’s syllabus with regard to the ‘History and Civics’ textbook; also, in order to educate students about the true history, educationists and historians of Goa should set up an independent committee to frame a separate policy for preparing the history textbook for Goa. This book should give special emphasis to the history of Goa State and ancient India. It is also a request that this text should nurture a feeling of patriotism, love and duty for the nation. The HJS appeals to the government to take immediate notice of the intense wrath of Marathi-lovers, parents, teachers and students towards the slack, inefficient working of the G.B.S. & H.S.E., and frame a systematic, planned and workable program based on the above suggestions.
NCERT books copy burnt, Protestors stop the road!
March 26, 2008
Phalgun Krushna Chaturthi
 HJS members protesting in front of Kadamba Bus Stand |
 Hindus burning copies of NCERT books which distort Bharat’s History |
 Protestors block the road toward Vidhanbhavan |
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In first photo Shri. Vinayak Chari, Goa Chief, Bajarang Dal (in chex shirt) and in second photo Shri. Jayesh Naik, South Goa Chief, Bajarang Dal participated in the protest.
 Deputy District collector Shri. Shetye (1 st from left) assuring to give representation to CM and De
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 Armed action force jawans on street for intimidating the agitation
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Later, the protestors marched towards the Mandavi Bridge and blocked the road squatting down in agitation. The government called upon the armed forces to stop the agitators. Considering the overall tension, the North Goa Deputy Collector accepted the HJS’ memorandum on behalf of the Government and arranged the meeting of the HJS delegation with the Chief Minister Secretary in the Legislative Assembly. However, government authorities in the Legislative Assembly restricted the entry of the delegation to two persons; thus the HJS’ delegation refused to furnish the memorandum to the Government in order to condemn its position.
NCERT: Emotional explosion of Shivsainiks, Chairmen surrounded, nameplate damaged!
March 25, 2008
Phalgun Krushna Chaturthi
 Angry Shivsainiks surround Mr. L.M.T. Fernandes |
 Angry Shivsainiks damaging the name plate of Mr. L.M.T. Fernandes |
Panaji (Goa): 15 members of the Shivsena surrounded Mr. L.M.T. Fernandes of the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (G.B.S & H.S.E.), which is responsible for publishing books containing distorted historical facts and hatred for Marathi language. At this time, Mr. Fernandes gave vague answers to questions raised by the Shivsainiks thereby inviting their wrath. At this time, the infuriated Shivsainiks burned sample copies of the said ‘history’ book. (Would anti-Hindu Mr. Fernandes dare to give vague replies to Muslims aggrieved in a similar situation? – Editor)
At this time, Mr. Fernandes told the press reporters present that, not only will the Std. X Marathi-medium students fare well in the forthcoming exams, but Std. X students from all other mediums will also fare very well this year. (How did Mr. Fernandes get this information in advance? Or is he going to make ‘arrangements’ to facilitate Std. X students to get good marks in the exam? What action is the Congress government going to initiate against Mr. Fernandes, who is shamelessly agreeing publicly to commit another crime to conceal one committed? – Editor)
“The Marathi-medium students of Std. X will pass through the exams automatically. Parents need not worry in this regard.” (How will the Goan students compete at the International level this way? The people of Goa should investigate into the fact as to how many ‘issues’ has Mr. Fernandes ‘hushed up or concealed’ in this manner and throw out such irresponsible officials guilty of spoiling the future of students. – Editor)
While Mr. Fernandes was giving vague replies to the media and the Shivsainiks, it was revealed that he is unaware of many important facts of the education field. Mr. Fernandes is unaware of the number of Marathi-medium schools existing in Goa State, number of students in these schools, names of members of the translation committee, etc. An employee gave detailed information in this regard before Mr. Fernandes. (It is better not to imagine as to how the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (G.B.S. & H.S.E.), that has such an incompetent Chairman, must be functioning! – Editor)
Mr. Fernandes, who appeared unaffected by the on-going agitation, remarked irresponsible, ‘We are going to rectify the mistakes appearing in this book in the next academic year. So there is no need to create hue and cry in this regard!’ (G.B.S. & H.S.E.’s thick-skinned Chairman who addresses the reactions of Marathi-lovers, patriots, parents and students as ‘hue and cry’! When is the Goan Digambar Kamat led Congress government going to initiate action against Mr. Fernandes? Or is it going to shove this complaint and the related agitation into the waste paper basket like it did with the earlier complaints? – Editor) The Shivsainiks, infuriated with Mr. Fernandes’ irresponsible answers, threw away his nameplate apart from burning the book. (Beginning of the public revolution! – Editor)
NCERT book issue: Goa Govt. admits flaws, HJS to continue agitation untill guilty are punished!
March 24, 2008
Phalgun Krushna Trutiya
Panaji (Goa): The government has accepted that the Marathi-medium ‘History & Civics’ textbook published by the Goa Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education (GBS&HSE) is erroneous; however it has not publicly announced the action that will be taken against those guilty. The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) intends to continue its statewide agitation against the said controversial book till the guilty in this regard are punished. This book not only contains grammatical errors; but also depicts history in a distorted manner. HJS’ Western India Spokesperson and Goa State Observer Shri. Ramesh Shinde has demanded that the Government should show cause in this regard.
CM Shri. Digambar Kamat, who also happens to be the Education Minister, has assured re-printing of the above said controversial book and formation of a committee in this regard. However, he has not clarified who is responsible for this issue and what action will be taken against those guilty. So also, the government has not issued any statement regarding the academic future of the students who have the said book in their curriculum and are going to appear for the Std. X exam. The government has also not disclosed the time-limit within which the committee for re-printing of the book is going to be set up. Thus, the question remains that whether this history will repeat in the next academic year! As a part of HJS’ intense agitation, a demonstration is going to be held near Sree Maruti Temple, Kadamba Bus Stand, Panjim tomorrow, i.e. on 25th March at 1 pm.
NCERT book issue: Fight against anti-history to make history: HJS spokesperson
March 24, 2008
Phalgun Krushna Trutiya
Press Conference: From left Shri. Jayesh Thali, Shri. Ramesh Shinde and Dr. Manoj Solanki
Ponda: Shri. Ramesh Shinde, spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) for Western India made an appeal that we must oppose the text book on History for publishing wrong history and make a history by forcing the concerned to carry out modifications in the book. He was addressing a meeting of parents and teachers at Hotel Padmavi for protesting against anti-Historical and anti-Marathi policies of Goa SSC Board. The meeting was attended by about 40 persons.HJS has been organizing meetings all over the State to create awareness among people about distortion of history caused in the text book; so far 6 such meetings have been held in Goa State. Along with Shri. Ramesh Shinde, Shri. Vinay Panwalkar, chief of Dharma-shakti Sena, Shri. Gajanan Dhavalikar, Principal of Kamalabai Hede High School in Shiroda and Shri. Abhijit Nadkarni, HJS coordinator from Ponda attended the meeting. S/Shri. Ramesh Shinde and Vinay Panwalkar presented before the audience true nature of NCERT responsible for including anti-Hindu and anti-national distorted history in the curriculum.
Issue reg. text books without national oath to be discussed in Assembly session: Deepak Sawant, MLA, Shiv Sena
In every text book, national oath ‘India is my country ……….’ is published to awaken nationalism in students. If books are being published without the oath, such books should be burnt. Those, who are publishing books without the oath, have no right to live in this country. Why should there be a reference of Sachchar Committee in the text books? How can a committee, so recently set up, find a place in text books? We are still trying to set right grammatical mistakes found in Marathi text book. Smt. Pratima Umarji, an educationist has yet to submit her report in the matter. If there are 68 grammatical mistakes even in this book, it is unpardonable. Those who prepare these books and those who grant approval to these books, should be severely punished. We shall take up this issue of strangulation of Marathi language, in the Legislative Assembly session. If schools in the State have also accepted these books, Shiv Sena will start agitations. The above views were expressed by Shri. Deepak Sawant, MLA, Shiv Sena
Comments of dignitaries from Goa State
Shri. Laxmikant Parsekar, BJP MLA – This entire episode is politically motivated. There should be no political interference in the field of education. I shall raise this issue against the said book in the Legislative Assembly.
Shri. Dayanand Sopte, BJP MLA, Pernem – If we close our eyes and keep mum, our future will get ruined. History has been distorted in academics. This is fatally wrong. I shall not stand this. I am with the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti.
Shri. Ramesh Naik, Chairman, Marathi Rajyabhasha Prasthapan Samiti (M.R.P.S.) – The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (G.B.S. & H.S.E.) has made our Goan students future dark! Why is the Education Minister quiet till now? The M.R.P.S. shall wholly support HJS’ agitation in this regard.
Shri. Dilip Betkikar, Vidya Bharati – N.C.E.R.T.’s education pattern is anti-Hindu. All its committee members at the Centre, in-charge of designing the education pattern, are Hindu – haters having a biased, communist mindset and expertise in distorting historical facts. They shall not change unless they are kept in check through intense agitations like this.
Shri. Upendra Gaonkar, Goa State President, Shivsena – Shri. Upendra Gaonkar firmly assured that the Shivsena will always wholly support the HJS’ agitation in this regard.
Freedom fighter expressed anguish over distortion of history
75 years old senior freedom fighter and Marathi-lover Shri. Shyamsunder Nagvekar expressed his anguish over slack working in the Goan academic field. He questioned saying, ‘India is my country and if the students of this country and not educated about its history, then how will the next generation develop love and belongingness for it?’ He also said that he would participate in this agitation till the end. Shri. Nagvekar had recently broken the ‘English’ nameplate situated next to the foundation stone of the Marathi Bhavan. He is a regular reader of the ‘Dainik Sanatan Prabhat’.
Photos: HJS’s meeting at Madgaon for awareness of NCERT book issue
March 24, 2008
Phalgun Krushna Trutiya
 From left Dharmashakti Sena chief Shri. Panvalkar, HJS’s Spokesperson Shri. Shinde and Dr. Solanki |
 Madgaon citizens present for the meeting |
HJS preparing for nation wide agitations against NCERT
March 23, 2008
Phalgun Krushna Dwitiya
Panaji (Goa): Goa Education Board has published a ‘History’ book for 10th standard based on the curriculum prepared by National Committee for Educational Research and Training (NCERT). NCERT is known for its anti-Hindu and anti-national stance and its practice of distorting history. Such distorted history is being circulated by NCERT through the curriculum devised by it all over the country. Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has, therefore, decided to begin agitations against NCERT and has made an appeal to one and all for joining these agitations. The drive will begin from 25th March at Panaji by HJS and will be taken to all over the State of Goa. On 25th March, demonstrations will be staged in front of ‘Mantralaya’.
The book with curriculum devised by NCERT has also been subscribed for CBSE schools in Karnataka and all over the country. The above information was given by Shri. Ramesh Shinde, the spokesperson of HJS in a press conference held in Panaji. Shri. Shinde is presently on a visit to Goa and meetings have been organised by HJS to be held in his presence at various places.
Opposition to NCERT is growing in Goa. People are enraged over the misdeeds of NCERT. Recently a meeting was held between devout Hindus and parents. In this meeting, the participants expressed their rage against NCERT. HJS informed even media persons about NCERT’s anti-history publications. Local newspapers have published about the disorderly working of NCERT and Goa Education Board. In the above press conference, parents, Hindu devouts and education experts expressed their views.
Education Minister to be taken to task: Opposition leader Shri. Parrikar
Education Department will be asked for an explanation on numerous mistakes found in the books prescribed for 10th standard curriculum by the Goa School Education Board; besides, the issue related to unlawful increase of marks of a student by L. M. T Fernandes, the President of the Board will be discussed in the session of Legislative Assembly. Shri. Manohar Parrikar, Opposition leader and Shri. Damodar Naik, a MLA have raised a doubt whether the portfolio of State Education Ministry is lying vacant. Shri. Parrikar was talking to correspondents in connection with the strategy to be followed by BJP in the forthcoming session starting from 24th March. Prior to this meeting, members of HJS called on him in the morning and gave him a representation to keep a note about such anti-History text book requesting him to make efforts for withdrawal of such books. Shri. Ramesh Shinde, the spokesperson of HJS for Western Maharashtra, Shri. Jayesh Thali, Goa State coordinator and Shri. Vinay Panwalkar, leader of ‘Dharma-shakti Sena’ were present on the occasion.
Support by H. H. Brahmeshananda Swami for the HJS drive
 HJS’s Shri. Ramesh Shinde showing News report about NCERT issue to HH Brahmeshanand Swami |
Goa Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education
Contact details
Address: M-20, Nehru Nagar, A-210, Betim Cross, Alto Betim, Goa- 403 521.
Tel. 91-832-417584,417593
NCERT book issue: HJS submits memorandum to Goa CM
March 23, 2008
Phalgun Krushna Dwitiya
 HJS’s Dr. Solanki (left) submitting representation to Goa CM Shri. Digamber Kamat |
He further stated that we have received complaints against the Goa Board Director Mr L.M. T.Fernandes.The Board made this book available only 44 days prior to the examinations. There are numerous and very serious grammatical mistakes in the book. So also there is factual distortion of history in the book.The government should take immediate cognizance of the mismanagement of the Goa Board and cancel this error filled book. So the concerned persons should be made to individually pay the compensation to the government for the loss that has occurred. So also the memorandum demands an earliest decision in order to avoid educational loss of the students.
On 21st March a memorandum was submitted to the Opposition Leader Shri. Manohar Parrikar during a visit to him. Yesterday the delegation of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti took visit of the present Peetadhesh of Padmanabh Sampradaya, H.H Brahmeshanand Swami and gave information about this matter. On this occasion the Swami expressed support to this movement. He stated that he will raise this issue in their next meeting and inform others about it
So also there meetings being organised all over the state against this SSC’s History book with factual distortion .Yesterday 40 persons attended the meeting at Dicholi yesterday, and today 22nd March there are meetings organised at Mapusa and Sakhli. So also on 23rd March at 9.30 am there is a meeting organised at Kumbharwada, Pednem at Shri.Gunaji Chari’s residence, at 10.am in Hotel Padmavi in Ponda and 6.pm in Lingayat Hal, near Adarsh School in Margao city. The Samiti has appealed to all Hindus, History lovers, Parents and Marathi lovers to attend the meetings.
NCERT book issue: Goa Govt. is playing with future of students
March 20, 2008
Phalgun Krushna Pratipada
 HJS’ Members addressing Parents, Teachers and Proud Hindus |
 Parents, Teachers and Proud Hindus present at meeting |
NCERT’s textbook for class X students has serious errors: HJS raises issue
March 21, 2008
Falgun Paurnima
 HJS Members submitting representation |
Panaji (Goa): Where would one find the state of Gujarat sometimes preferring dictatorial regime over democracy? What reference material displays Lord Vishnu arriving on earth with his two female consorts to distribute Sunlight soap to the mortals on this planet? What source gives information that the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party was founded in 1961, when the party was actually established several months after the Liberation of Goa in December 19, 1961? And finally, where would you locate ‘Lokmanya’ Bal Gangadhar Tilak in a doctored photograph, supposedly surrounded by a temple, a church and a mosque, when the mosque is actually not a mosque but Taj Mahal, which is a mausoleum?
You can find these objectionable observations and many more pieces of information printed in the social science textbook for class X, prepared as per the NCERT syllabus, which is divided into two parts namely history and political science.
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti which brought out these and many such errors in the particular textbook to the notice of the media said that it will hand over a memorandum to the state government, this evening, with a request to take a just decision about the same by March 24.
The Goa observer of the HJS and spokesperson of the organisation for western India, Shri. Ramesh Shinde, addressing a press conference, this morning said that the particular textbook for Marathi medium was made available to the students when the SSC examination was only 44 days away. ‘And now when the exam is just round the corner, we leave the decision to the government.’
Not wanting the students to boycott the examination for the social science subject, Shri. Shinde said, ‘However, if the government fails to reach any decision by March 24, the HJS will burn down the copies of the textbook in public.’
He also maintained that education should not be made an issue for cheap political gains.
‘There are other countless mistakes in this book,’ Shri. Shinde stated, pointing out, ‘To start with, the cover of the book depicts the Mughal regime in India with Urdu transcript giving an impression that Indian history had nothing more than Mughal domination.’
‘This is followed by a foreword in the textbook by the chairman of the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, Shri. L M T Fernandes, which includes spelling mistakes numbering around 67,’ Shri Shinde stated, further pointing out that the information under the title, ‘How to use this book’ is given in English language, which is absurd for Marathi medium students.
The first chapter in the book titled, ‘Rise of Nationalism in Europe’ carries a picture of Jesus Christ standing in the sky with a Cross, and representatives of all European nations rushing towards him with their respective flags, Shri. Shinde noted, maintaining that the chapter ‘Nationalism in India’ comes somewhere at the end of the group titled, ‘India and the Contemporary World II’.
‘In addition, there are several other objectionable things like the picture of the French Commander, General Henri Navarre shown to be smoking a cigarette,‘ he said, ‘especially when the Union Minister for Health, Dr. A Ramadoss has shown his support for anti-tobacco movement.’
Then there is a question for the students in the textbook which goes, ‘I often crack jokes about people from one religion. Does that make me communal,‘ which is absurd, as it could affect the perception of a student about religion, Shri. Shinde observed.
The book also includes certain sensitive references to communal clashes during the partition of India, and Muslim demands which hint at further division of the country, he said, questioning as to whoever has written the book, has distorted history beyond recognition.
Then there is this map which shows political preferences of South Asia, with South-East India being shown with the caption ‘Democracy is preferable’ , Pakistan and half of north India being portrayed as ‘Doesn’t matter (democracy) to me’ and Gujarat covered with the caption ‘Sometimes dictatorship is better’ , which is not only misleading but detrimental to the progress of the students, Shri. Shinde maintained.
He also took objection for use of the word ‘Dalit’ in the book, over several times, when there is a ban on the use of the same by the Central Scheduled Caste and Tribes Commission.
The press conference was also addressed by the state Shiv Sena chief, Shri. Upendra Gaonkar and noted educationist, Shri. Dilip Betkikar among others.
