New Delhi : Rajya Sabha was thrown into turmoil today as opposition
members, in particular, were critical of alleged distortions in NCERT school textbooks,including description of freedom fighter Balgangadhar Tilak as "terrorist".
BJP members, led by Shri.Ravi Shanker Prasad, were up on their feet waving copies of NCERT textbooks which, they said, allegedly termed Jat community as "marauders" and described Tilak a terrorist.
The books also contained suggestions to girl students to use cosmetics, they said. Distortion of history was a very serious issue and such lessons could pollute minds of young children, they said demanding an inquiry into such writings besides punishment of the guilty.
They were joined by members from Samajwadi Party, Left and Congress who said it was not an issue to be politicised and government should take the matter seriously and correct distortions.
At one point of time, agitated BJP members trooped into the well and wanted to place on the table of the House copies of the books which was disallowed by the Chair saying rules did not permit this.
The members then placed them on the table of the Chairman despite the Chair asking them not to do so. Former Minister Murli Manohar Joshi wanted HRD Minister Shri. Arjun Singh to come to the House and explain.
Amidst the din, Satyavrat Chaturvedi (Cong)said if these allegations were true, the government should look into it.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200608181441.htm
