NCERT Trims Ayodhya Section in Textbooks, Names Babri Masjid '3-Dome Structure'; Sparks Controversy

New Delhi: The recently updated NCERT Class 12 Political Science textbook has undergone significant changes, particularly in its coverage of the Ayodhya dispute. Notably, the textbook now omits the term "Babri Masjid," instead referring to it as a “three-domed structure.” 

The revised textbook has condensed the section on Ayodhya from four pages to two, omitting several critical details that were present in the previous version. These omissions include the BJP’s rath yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya, the role of kar sevaks, the communal violence following the demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6, 1992, the imposition of President’s rule in BJP-ruled states, and the BJP’s expression of regret over the events in Ayodhya.

Also Read: NCERT Drops References To Babri Masjid, Gujarat Riots, Hindutva In Textbooks

The changes reflect a broader shift in the narrative, with the previous description of the Babri Masjid as a 16th-century mosque built by Mughal emperor Babur’s General Mir Baqi being replaced. The new text describes it as "a three-dome structure (that) was built at the site of Shri Ram’s birthplace in 1528," emphasizing Hindu symbols and relics within its interior and exterior.

The old textbook's detailed account of the mobilisation on both sides after the masjid’s locks were opened in February 1986, the subsequent communal tension, and the mosque's demolition followed by violence in January 1993, has been replaced with a brief summary. This summary does not mention communal violence or political repercussions.

Also Read: No Need to Teach About Riots, Demolition in Schools; No Attempts to Saffronise Books: NCERT Chief

Additionally, a new subsection titled "From Legal Proceedings to Amicable Acceptance" has been introduced, covering the Supreme Court’s 2019 verdict on the Ayodhya dispute. This new section emphasizes the legal resolution process and the construction of the Ram temple while acknowledging the provision for a mosque by the Sunni Central Waqf Board.

The revised textbook has also removed images of newspaper headlines and critical judicial observations from the old version, replacing them with excerpts from the 2019 Supreme Court verdict. This marks the fourth update of NCERT textbooks since 2014, reflecting the latest political and judicial developments.

These changes have sparked discussions about the representation of historical events in educational materials, with varying opinions on the impact of such revisions on students' understanding of India's political and communal history.