NCERT has no supporting evidence regarding misinformation related to Sati practice mentioned in its book

RTI exposes NCERT lies

NCERT claims in its book that it was believed in India, ‘if women get educated, they’ll become widows’

The BJP Government at the Centre should try to stop anti-Hindu propaganda by NCERT, which is under Government’s control

New Delhi – The NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) book mentions the history when the practice of Sati began. Attempts were made under RTI Act to seek evidence in this regard; however, NCERT replied that it has no supporting evidence. Social activist Vivek Pandey had sought information about this under RTI Act.

1. NCERT has mentioned about Sati practice in a chapter ‘Woman: Caste and Reforms’ in its 8th Standard book. It says that in some parts of India, widows who sacrificed themselves on the burning pyre of their dead husbands were commended. There was a ban on widows’ property rights. Women were not even entitled for education. In some parts of the country, it was believed that if women get educated, they will become widows. (It is a deliberate attempt to defame Hindu Dharma by spreading misinformation about a practice which is not even mentioned in Hindu theology. Devout Hindus and Hindu organisations should oppose this in a lawful manner and try to get the misinformation removed. – Editor)

Objectionable chapters and contents from NCERT books in the past

1. NCERT had mentioned in its 12th Standard History book that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb provided financial assistance for the repair of Hindu temples destroyed during war. However, NCERT has not been able to provide any evidence in this regard.

2. It is mentioned in NCERT book that Qutub Minar in Delhi was built by Qutubuddin Aibak and Iltutmish. When asked, NCERT could not provide evidence for this either.

3. There were demands to remove a poem titled ‘Aam Ki Tokri’ (Basket of Mangoes) from 1st Standard book. The poem was heavily criticised on social media for being double meaning.

4. One of the NCERT books published in 2007, had a chapter ‘The Little Bully’ in which the character of a boy was named ‘Hari’. Hari is characterised as the one who teases girls, makes fuss, and abuses them. Hence, everybody is afraid of him and hates him. Eventually, a crab bites him and teaches a lesson. It is an attempt to tarnish the name of Shri Vishnu.