Organization: Penn State University
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 21:31:53 EDT
From: <DXA4@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian
Subject: RE: BJP and Revision of School Curriculum

Since the announcement of BJP Governments in UP and MP to revise school curri-
culum to make the children feel proud of our heritage and culture, and remove
some distortions in the history books, the secularists, pseudosecularists,
leftist intellectuals and die-hard RSS-bashers (on the net and in India) are
very unhappy. And as usual they are indulging in their favorite pastime.
They have started making mischievous and perverted propaganda, nay, launched a
disinformation campaign by floating false rumours that BJP proposes to
eliminate lessons on some religious leaders, etc. Some of these people have
gone to the length even to suggest that this attempt is same as that of Nazi
model. To draw such a parallel is an exercise in futility and indicates
intellectual bankruptcy of these people. This has been a standard and common
practice on the part of these so-called secularists/leftists to find fault
with ANYTHING BJP governments do.

Hitler rewrote history written by Germans and other Europeans, which is basica-
lly denying history written by their own people. Indian history was written
by foreigners, and it is no accident that many of the facts are sadly wanting
in perspective, especially the Aryan and Dravidian theory which even some west-
ern scholars have started calling a monstrous myth. Therefore, the clarion
call by the BJP to set historical  facts in perspective can in no way be
equated to Hitler's rewriting History. And drawing a parallel between UP gover-
nment's arguments in rewriting history with HItler's writing (quoted out of
context) is ludicrous and absurd.

If Indian secilarists, swamis and escapists harp day in and day out about the
glorious Indian culture and its past, then what is wrong in incorporating it
on historical basis in the school curriculum? If the establishment and Congress
government prattles about the glory of India in the form of 'MERA BHARAT MAHAN'
, then it is called secularism, but if the BJP incorporates it in school
curriculum, it becomes RSS type brainwashing and hence Nazism. Also is it
Nazism to glorify your own heroes such as Rani of Jhansi, Bhagat Singh, Tilak,
Rana Pratap, and others who sacrificed their lives for the country, and to
condemn the tyrants like Aurangazeb and Babar who thrived on destroying the
Hindu culture and its symbols?

Is it a crime also to include India's contribution to Mathematics and Sciences
which western historians have left out deliberately? What is wrong with telling
students that Science and Technology are not the monopoly of the West? The
concept of 'Zero' originated in India, decimal system was developed in India.
Mathematics are still known in the Arab world as 'Hindsa'.Until early nineteen-
th century, the best and the biggest British ships were being built in India.
The Asokan steel pillar at 'Qutb Minar', Delhi, is witness to our ancient
technology. Even inocculation against small-pox was taken from India to Europe.
Is it wrong to inform our children about these achievements of our forefathers.
These facts of science, maths, history will do more to restore confidence and
promote genius than empty songs about Mera Bharat Mahan.

Why our science books silent even about J.C. Bose, P.C. Ray, C.V. Raman and
Homi Bhabha? Perhaps these secularists do not know that even France, Germany
and Russia give credit for major inventions to thier own respective scientists,
and not mostly to British scientists, as our Anglo-philes invariably do.

Is their something wrong in BJP stressing values like obedience, discipline,
national pride, sacrifice, will-power, physical fitness and the habit of taking
firm decisions, just because Hitler said the same thing. Even Vivekanand had
urged the youth to develop these qualities. Does that make him a Hitler? Hitler
is like the devil quoting scriptures, does that mean the scriptures have become
bad now? Hitler used scripture to dominate, conquer and terrorize, whereas the
BJP is using history (as it really happened) and the scriptures to correct
historical distortions, provide proper perspective and true identity, correct
injustice, reclaim national honor, and infuse pride about our culture. BJP
rightfully claims that the ignorance of history, the current events, and
dishonest propaganda have contributed to chaotic conditions prevailing today.

The place to start correcting is the very beginning, which is rewriting
history with a national perspective. So what is wrong with that?

Only a slave bought by the enemy will have the intellectual harlotry to equate
patriotic history rewriting with the Nazism of Rosenberg, Goebles, and Hitler.

Aneeta Chakrabarty, and
Dinesh Agrawal....
Newsgroups: soc.culture.indian