PIL On Textbook Content
Advocates Forum for Social Justice submitted that in the social science textbook, published by National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT), some wrong information was given in respect of evaluating the history of the Nadar community.
The petitioner submitted that Nadars had also held important portfolios in that administration and that the community hails from the ancient period in Kanyakumari district, which was the then Travancore Samasthanam.
Textbook Content
According to the petitioner, a chapter in the textbook under "Indian Colony Athikkam" (Transformation and Colonial India) and sub-heading of caste conflict and dress change, it was wrongly mentioned that during British rule, South Travancore was known as Kumari district, its natives were known as Naikers and that the Nadar community had come and settled there to eke out a livelihood.
Petitioner's Stand
The petitioner claimed that after doing some research, it was known that the history narrated in the book was incorrect and some of the contents 'degraded' the entire Nadar community. So issued a notice dated September 14 asking authorities to rectify the mistakes in the book.
Madras High Court Order
The Madras High Court today ordered CBSE to do speedy disposal of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on an objectionable content in class IX social science textbook about the Nadar community.
CBSE's Course of Action
CBSE replied to the court order stating that NCERT had constituted a committee to review the textbook and directed the forum to approach the NCERT.
Petitioner's Response
The petitioner in return to CBSE's action complained that CBSE was the competent authority and that it should have initiated immediate action to redress the grievances. But the Board had passed on its responsibility to NCERT.
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