BJP Defends NCERT’s New Modules on Partition, Criticizes Congress

The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has expressed strong support for the newly introduced modules by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) regarding the partition of India. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla stated that the historical responsibility for the partition rests with several leaders, including those from the Congress party, as well as Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Lord Mountbatten.

In a statement made on March 2, 2024, Poonawalla emphasized that one cannot ignore the facts surrounding the partition. He asserted that the Muslim League, under Jinnah, and the Congress, led by Jawaharlal Nehru, played pivotal roles during this period. He criticized the Congress for what he termed “appeasement politics,” suggesting that the decisions made at that time continue to have repercussions today. Poonawalla highlighted the suffering caused by the partition, which led to the deaths of millions and widespread displacement.

BJP National Spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia also weighed in on the issue, claiming that the adjustments made to the NCERT textbooks reflect an important historical truth. He pointed out that the Congress party, particularly its leader Rahul Gandhi, is disturbed by the revelations, which he believes expose parallels between Gandhi’s thinking and that of Jinnah. Bhatia argued that both advocates of religious-based policies, contributing to the ongoing debate about communalism in India.

The new NCERT modules address the partition’s complexities, stating that it was not an inevitable outcome. The materials assert that three key figures—Jinnah, the Congress, and Mountbatten—shaped the decision to partition India. They also note that many Indian leaders lacked prior administrative experience, which contributed to the haste surrounding the partition process.

According to the NCERT, the partition resulted in an “unprecedented human tragedy,” with nearly 15 million people displaced, widespread violence, and severe humanitarian crises. The textbooks describe the refugee situation, wherein trains arrived filled with corpses, highlighting the scale of the tragedy.

The BJP’s stance has reignited discussions about historical narratives in Indian education and politics. While the party calls for accountability from the Congress, it also seeks to educate future generations about the realities of partition. This ongoing dialogue reflects the broader challenges of addressing sensitive historical events and their lasting impact on contemporary society.