Major people, events not part of history books being included: Education Minister Pradhan
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the ICHR was trying to include major people and events not mentioned in history books currently and wasn't trying to "rewrite Indian history".
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the ICHR was trying to include major people and events not mentioned in history books currently and wasn't trying to "rewrite Indian history". (Photo: PTI)
According to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) is trying to include all notable individuals and events that are not mentioned in history books but has not started any attempt to "rewrite Indian history."
Additionally, he stated in front of the Lok Sabha that India respects all cultures, languages, and religious beliefs.
”The ICHR has not launched any project to rewrite Indian history. The government has no intention to rewrite history. But if you ask me, if the ICHR has taken any project on history, with due respect and humbly, I would like to inform this House that, yes it has taken,” he said.
In response to a question in 'Question Hour', the union minister said they were "expanding history" and filling "gaps" by adding major historical events and personalities.
According to Pradhan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently travelled to Mangarh Dham, the site of the British slaughter of 1,500 tribal members who rebelled under Govind Guru's leadership in 1913.
In honour of the two sons of Guru Gobind Sahib who died as martyrs in the 17th century at the ages of six and nine, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the Modi government has also chosen to mark 'Veer Bal Diwas', the BJP MP added.
artyrs in the 17th century at the ages of six and nine, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, the Modi government has also chosen to mark 'Veer Bal Diwas', the BJP MP added.
The minister questioned whether India should be aware of the Telugu revolutionary Alluri Sitarama Raju or the Odia revolutionary Baxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhara Mohapatra, both of whom had fought the British.
The union minister informed the House that neither of them was included in the present Indian history textbooks.
In addition to this, according to Pradhan, India was ruled by foreigners for roughly 1,100–1,200 years. If the history of that time was examined, it could be seen that numerous civilisations — whether in the east, west, south, or north — worked to advance the glory, respect, and status of culture.
”All these should come in the pages of history. The ICHR is filling such gaps. We are not rewriting history. We are expanding history, drawing a simple line. This much working we are doing, the ICHR is doing,” he said.
According to the minister, there are numerous viewpoints and perspectives regarding various civilisations, but little is known about their histories.
According to Pradhan, the central government's position on this issue is quite clear: India is a nation of various cultures.
”I would like to give an example about the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam which was held about two months ago in Varanasi. The oldest language of the world is Tamil. This is our view," he said.
"India is a country which respect all languages, all cultures and all faiths. This is what the central government believes. There is no need for need to create a debate over it,” he added.
(With inputs from PTI)
