Rewriting the Past, Poisoning the Future: Elyas Thumbe Hits Out at NCERT

Elyas Muhammad Thumbe, National General Secretary of the Social Democratic Party of India, strongly condemns the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) for its controversial revision of the Class 8 Social Science textbook Exploring Society: India and Beyond – Part 1, introduced for the 2025–26 academic year. The portrayal of Mughal emperors—Babur, Akbar, and Aurangzeb—as mere “plunderers,” while erasing their contributions, is a calculated distortion of India’s rich and pluralistic history.

These changes appear to be politically motivated—intended to push a Hindu nationalist narrative while erasing the Mughals’ pivotal role in shaping India’s cultural, administrative, and architectural legacy. This reflects the ideological priorities of the ruling regime and risks dividing young minds along communal lines. Labeling the Mughals as “foreign invaders,” despite their centuries-long, deeply rooted presence in the subcontinent, is historically inaccurate and socially dangerous.

The Mughals were not outsiders. They were born and buried on Indian soil, and played a foundational role in the evolution of our civilization. Their administrative reforms, artistic achievements, and policies of religious tolerance left an enduring impact on Indian society. Monuments like the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort stand as enduring symbols of architectural brilliance and syncretic culture. Furthermore, the textbook’s misleading narrative on ‘temple destruction’ stokes religious polarization and ignores broader historical context.

This revision, carried out under the framework of the National Education Policy 2020, appears to be part of a wider effort to saffronize education—prioritizing ideological conformity over historical accuracy. Such actions violate the secular spirit of our Constitution, which the SDPI is unwaveringly committed to defending. Education must enlighten and unite, not indoctrinate and divide.

We demand that NCERT immediately revise the textbook to ensure a fair and comprehensive representation of the Mughal era—acknowledging both achievements and complexities. A transparent review process involving historians, educators is essential to uphold the integrity of our educational content and reflect India’s true diversity.

The SDPI will launch public awareness campaigns and explore legal options to resist this dangerous rewriting of history and safeguard the secular character of our education system.