Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik raised concern over the exclusion of the 1817 Paika Rebellion from the latest Class 8 history textbook released by NCERT. Patnaik called it a significant moment in Odisha’s history and expressed disappointment at its absence.
Patnaik’s Pleas and Calls for Justice
Patnaik had previously urged the Government of India to recognize the Paika Rebellion as the first war of Independence. He criticized the removal of this historic event from the textbooks, stating that it diminishes the valor and sacrifices of the Paikas who fought against British colonialism nearly four decades before the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny.
In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Patnaik emphasized the importance of honoring the legacy of the Paikas and called upon Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to rectify this exclusion.
NCERT’s Clarification and Future Inclusions
Responding to the concerns, NCERT issued a clarification stating that the omitted Paika Rebellion will be covered in the second volume of the textbook series. The upcoming volume, expected to be released in 2025, will delve into regional resistance movements, including the Paika Rebellion of Odisha.
The council affirmed that the new textbook series, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023. It seeks to provide students with a holistic understanding of various aspects of India’s history and society from the 13th to mid-19th century.
Focus on Learning and Context
NCERT emphasized that the textbook aims to promote critical thinking among students by presenting information in a coherent and engaging manner. The content is curated from credible sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
The inclusion of a section titled ‘History’s Darker Period’ further encourages learners to analyze historical events within their appropriate contexts, fostering a deeper comprehension of India’s past.
