The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) - an autonomous body responsible for school education in India - has removed from its class 12 political science textbooks the references to 'Khalistan', the demand for a separate Sikh nation.

The move comes in response to&nbsp;Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) - the top religious body for Sikhs - lodging a protest for the same, saying the book&nbsp;misrepresented historical details about Sikhs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“The resolution also spoke of the aspirations of the Sikh community and declared its goal as attaining the ‘bolbala’ (dominance) of the Sikhs. The resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism, but it could also be interpreted as a plea for a separate Sikh nation," read the contentious paragraph&nbsp;in Chapter 6 – Regional Aspirations (Rationalised Class 12 political science textbook).&nbsp;

According to NCERT, after receiving SGPC's request, a committee of experts was constituted to examine the issue and it decided to withdraw the content.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The sentence, “the resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism but it could also be interpreted as a plea for a separate Sikh nation,” has&nbsp;been dropped and rewritten as “the resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism”.

Moreover, the line, “The more extreme elements started advocating secession from India and the creation of ‘Khalistan’” has been dropped.

<h2>What did SGPC demand?</h2>

Notably in April, SGPC said the Anandpur Sahib resolution adopted in 1973 by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had been interpreted as a "separatist resolution".&nbsp;

“The SGPC raises strong objection over the misinformation being spread about Sikhs. Historical references related to Sikhs have been distorted in NCERT books. Sikhs shouldn’t be presented as separatists. The text must be removed immediately,” said&nbsp;SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami at the time.&nbsp;

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However, after the changes were notified, SGPC said its experts would look into the omissions.&nbsp;

“We will analyse the changes made by the NCERT before dropping our objections. Our experts will look into the matter,” an SGPC spokesman was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.&nbsp;

<h2>Earlier instances of changes in NCERT books</h2>

This is not the first instance when changes have been clocked in NCERT books. Earlier this year, reports claimed that chapters based on the Mughal empire had been chucked out from the history syllabus of Class 12.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-no-mughal-history-in-class-12-cbse-up-board-syllabus-578910">ALSO READ | India: No Mughal history in Class 12 NCERT textbooks, top official denies reports&nbsp;</a>

Dinesh Prasad Saklani, director of NCERT, however,&nbsp;strongly denied the claims that chapters on Mughals were dropped.&nbsp;

"It's a lie. (Chapters on) Mughals have not been dropped. There was a rationalisation process last year because due to COVID, there was pressure on students everywhere...Expert committees examined the books from std 6-12. They recommended that if this chapter is dropped, it won't affect the knowledge of the children and an unnecessary burden can be removed...The debate is unnecessary. Those who don't know, can check the textbooks..." he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) - an autonomous body responsible for school education in India - has removed from its class 12 political science textbooks the references to 'Khalistan', the demand for a separate Sikh nation.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) - an autonomous body responsible for school education in India - has removed from its class 12 political science textbooks the references to 'Khalistan', the demand for a separate Sikh nation. The move comes in response to Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) - the top religious body for Sikhs - lodging a protest for the same, saying the book misrepresented historical details about Sikhs. “The resolution also spoke of the aspirations of the Sikh community and declared its goal as attaining the ‘bolbala’ (dominance) of the Sikhs. The resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism, but it could also be interpreted as a plea for a separate Sikh nation," read the contentious paragraph in Chapter 6 – Regional Aspirations (Rationalised Class 12 political science textbook). According to NCERT, after receiving SGPC's request, a committee of experts was constituted to examine the issue and it decided to withdraw the content. The sentence, “the resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism but it could also be interpreted as a plea for a separate Sikh nation,” has been dropped and rewritten as “the resolution was a plea for strengthening federalism”. Moreover, the line, “The more extreme elements started advocating secession from India and the creation of ‘Khalistan’” has been dropped. What did SGPC demand? Notably in April, SGPC said the Anandpur Sahib resolution adopted in 1973 by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had been interpreted as a "separatist resolution". “The SGPC raises strong objection over the misinformation being spread about Sikhs. Historical references related to Sikhs have been distorted in NCERT books. Sikhs shouldn’t be presented as separatists. The text must be removed immediately,” said SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami at the time. Watch this report: × However, after the changes were notified, SGPC said its experts would look into the omissions. “We will analyse the changes made by the NCERT before dropping our objections. Our experts will look into the matter,” an SGPC spokesman was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. Earlier instances of changes in NCERT books This is not the first instance when changes have been clocked in NCERT books. Earlier this year, reports claimed that chapters based on the Mughal empire had been chucked out from the history syllabus of Class 12. ALSO READ | India: No Mughal history in Class 12 NCERT textbooks, top official denies reports Dinesh Prasad Saklani, director of NCERT, however, strongly denied the claims that chapters on Mughals were dropped. "It's a lie. (Chapters on) Mughals have not been dropped. There was a rationalisation process last year because due to COVID, there was pressure on students everywhere...Expert committees examined the books from std 6-12. They recommended that if this chapter is dropped, it won't affect the knowledge of the children and an unnecessary burden can be removed...The debate is unnecessary. Those who don't know, can check the textbooks..." he said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: 'Khalistan' references dropped from Class 12 political science textbook

Days after Economics and Maths paper leaks rocked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examination, a whistleblower has come forward with the claims that Political Science paper was also made public.

The Economics question paper of class XII and Maths question paper of class X were leaked on social media hours before the examination.

The Economics exam was held on March 26 and Maths on March 28.

Talking to ANI on the condition of anonymity, the man said, "I am 100 per cent sure that Political Science question paper was also leaked.

He had contacted the person through YouTube who was leaking the paper and informed the CBSE about the paper leak on March 17 but no action was taken.

"I had managed to contact the person leaking the paper through YouTube. I alerted CBSE, Prime Minister and police on March 17, but no action was taken," the whistleblower said.

This whistleblower has come forward but the Delhi Police has widened the search for another whistleblower in the CBSE paper leaks case, who, on three occasions, alerted the education board about the leaks.

The whistleblower, according to the police, sent a fax message on March 23 to the CBSE and alleged that a coaching centre was involved in a paper leak.

The concerned person then again on March 26 sent a courier to the Rouse Avenue office of the CBSE.

In the courier, answers of the Class XII Economics question paper were written on four pages.

Apart from it, mobile numbers of four persons were also mentioned who allegedly received these question papers on the WhatsApp groups.

On March 28, the CBSE chairperson received an email at 1:39 am with an attachment of 12 pages in which questions and answers of class X were written.

The mail also appealed to the CBSE to cancel the exams.

However, the examination board did not cancel the exams.

The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged in this regard on March 28 evening.

Till now, the police have come to know that the CBSE question papers were leaked on 10 WhatsApp groups.

The Economics question paper of class XII and Maths question paper of class X were leaked on social media hours before the examination

Days after Economics and Maths paper leaks rocked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examination, a whistleblower has come forward with the claims that Political Science paper was also made public. The Economics question paper of class XII and Maths question paper of class X were leaked on social media hours before the examination. The Economics exam was held on March 26 and Maths on March 28. Talking to ANI on the condition of anonymity, the man said, "I am 100 per cent sure that Political Science question paper was also leaked. He had contacted the person through YouTube who was leaking the paper and informed the CBSE about the paper leak on March 17 but no action was taken. "I had managed to contact the person leaking the paper through YouTube. I alerted CBSE, Prime Minister and police on March 17, but no action was taken," the whistleblower said. This whistleblower has come forward but the Delhi Police has widened the search for another whistleblower in the CBSE paper leaks case, who, on three occasions, alerted the education board about the leaks. The whistleblower, according to the police, sent a fax message on March 23 to the CBSE and alleged that a coaching centre was involved in a paper leak. The concerned person then again on March 26 sent a courier to the Rouse Avenue office of the CBSE. In the courier, answers of the Class XII Economics question paper were written on four pages. Apart from it, mobile numbers of four persons were also mentioned who allegedly received these question papers on the WhatsApp groups. On March 28, the CBSE chairperson received an email at 1:39 am with an attachment of 12 pages in which questions and answers of class X were written. The mail also appealed to the CBSE to cancel the exams. However, the examination board did not cancel the exams. The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged in this regard on March 28 evening. Till now, the police have come to know that the CBSE question papers were leaked on 10 WhatsApp groups.

CBSE Political Science paper was also leaked, says a whistleblower

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