Events
& Issues
New Delhi, 10 January 2018
Distorting History
GOVT MEDDLING INTOLERABLE
By Dhurjati Mukherjee
A section of accomplished
scholars have accused the Centre of its ongoing attempts to distort history. The
recently held Indian History Congress at Jadavpur University where eminent
historians from across the country participated, adopted two significant
resolutions which clearly bring out the Government’s attempt to force scholars
to toe its line of thinking, favour only a section close to the ruling class, an
indifference to fund independent research and free thinking et al.
The first resolution,
which delved on following an objective method in history and moved by noted
historian Prof. Irfan Habib, pointed out: “There has been a displayed tendency
among responsible persons, including ministers and legislators, to speak as if
they can ‘change’ history by a fiat. There have been particular attempts to run
down figures like Akbar and Tipu Sultan, while fictitious achievements are
attributed to favourite or fictional heroes. . . . There is widespread
expectation of changes made in syllabi and text books to impose prejudiced
versions and false narratives in the teaching of history”.
Thus, the IHC called
on historians and public spirited citizens to defend the cause of objective
history and to “stand up for freedom of speech as an essential part of this
effort”.
One may be
constrained to mention here that it was indeed ridiculous to hear that
some politicians, ‘ignorant’ or ‘biased’
were maintaining that the Taj Mahal was earlier a Hindu monument and that the
Uttar Pradesh government had dropped the iconic monument, one of the seven wonders
of the world, from its latest official tourism handbook! As is well known,
people from all over the world visit India to see the Taj Mahal and to delete
it from the list of touristic sites only speaks of the misplaced arrogance of
those in authority.
The second resolution
is also quite important as it deplored discrimination against those that do not
necessarily support the favourite credos. While there has been sharp decline in
assistance to the IHC from the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR),
the same body announced “an ambitious project to prove a manifest fantasy,
namely, the alleged building of the islands of Adam’s Bridge”. It added “not
only is such a project an insult to human intelligence but would involve a huge
waste of public funds, should it be undertaken”.
It was ascertained
from former President of the IHC Prof. Shireen Moosvi that the ICHR has
withheld funds for publication of the volumes prepared of martyrs of the
freedom movement and deplored such indifference of the authorities.
All this clearly
reveals that the government has been acting in a partisan manner and is not
allowing an objective assessment of history. Many historians lamented such
discretionary manner and forcing scholars to toe its line of thinking. One may
recall here the killing of some scholars and some others being threatened for being
critical of the policies of the government.
Similarly, there are
allegations that reconstitution of the Indian Council Social Science Research
(ICSSR) has been loaded with Hindu upper castes after rejecting recommendations
of the search committee. The names of Vice Chancellors of Jadavpur University,
Manipur University and Former Vice Chancellor of Bangalore University as also
many other eminent scholars have been rejected. According to former Council
member Prof. Kancha Ilaiah “those wedded to the ideology of the BJP and RSS
have found a place but they cannot build social science that could be
understood by the world at large”. It is widely believed that the Council
should have better representation of dalits, backward classes and minorities.
The current trend clearly
points to the fact that the Government is trying to throttle freedom of speech
and independent research work in various ways. One cannot deny that attempts to
curtail the right to free speech in the hands of academic scholars as also of
sections of citizens and marginalised groups is trend never witnessed before in
the country, except during the emergency.
Funds are being
curtailed for research in social science, specially history, in the
universities and other academic institutions. This would definitely go against
the proclaimed policy of enduring autonomy in higher education institutions,
which is a definitely a prerequisite for these becoming centres of excellence.
The current state of
affairs has, feel the historians, never been witnessed in the country. Over the
years, the ruling party has never interfered in such naive manner and
encroached in the internal matters of such institutions or organisations such
as IHC, ICHR or ICSSR. Though there are protests all over the country by
eminent scholars, the Government has been turning a blind eye to their
criticism and grievances.
Freedom of speech and
expression is rightly located as a critical medium in the agenda of radical
social, economic and political transformation of Indian institutions, practices
and character, envisaged in the country’s Constitution.
Moreover, in most if
not all countries of the civilized world, political interference in academic
institutions is minimal and a lot many more funds are made available. Funding
of academic institutions say in countries such as Brazil, South Africa not to
speak of China, is way ahead compared to India. The obvious question which arises
is the motive of the ruling dispensation and whether its current activities
will help the nation, in any way.
There can be no doubt
that the question of merit must be given top most priority and any sort of
interference by political parties needs to be firmly stopped. Unless there is
academic freedom, research simply cannot prosper. It goes without saying that
new areas to study and research have to be opened in institutions of higher
learning and necessary funds must be made available.
Only emphasising on
science and technology would not do. Emerging areas in subjects such as history,
economics, sociology and geography, which are linked to the most discussed
subject i.e. environmental studies, have also to be given due attention, not to
speak of priority and research needs to be encouraged. One cannot deny the fact
that science leads to innovation while for understanding and promoting society
these subjects of social science have equal importance.
A word of caution is
also necessary. The way a section of politicians in the Government has been thinking
aloud will not only bring disrepute to the country, but will also have an
impact on the party’s poll prospects, at least in the cities. It is time the Government
seriously stops distorting history and considers the question of autonomy and
non-interference in the research of scholars and institutions as also make
requisite funds available in tune with global standards.
The much talked about
ensuring free speech and expression in tune with transformation in education
has to become a reality at any cost, if India wants to establish itself as an
economic powerhouse. Translating this realisation as quickly as possible would
do well for the political masters of the country. Else, history will not spare
them.---INFA
(Copyright, India
News & Feature Alliance)
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