A Class 11 textbook approved for government schools in Chhattisgarh has dubbed Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose as an “extremist”, triggering protests from several quarters here. The state government was forced to withdraw the text book following the resentment.
A chapter in “Samajik Bigyan” (social science) text book written in Hindi has been devoted to Netaji, detailing his immense contribution and sacrifice for the freedom movement of India. The chapter also described him as a hero and a great son of India.
However, one sentence in the chapter (page. no 103) made an “objectionable” reference to him, saying, “Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Ugrabadi the” (Netaji Subash Chandra Bose was an extremist), shocking the intellectuals and senior citizens here.
Exposing the “faux pas” on Wednesday, Chhattisgarh Kalibari Samiti, a body of Bengali-speaking people of the state, has taken strong exception to showing Netaji in such a poor light in the text book.
“It is an insult to Netaji, a worthy son of India. We demand strong action against authorities responsible for the gaffe and immediate measures by the government to remove the objectionable sentence”, Rajendra Banerjee, secretary of the samiti said here.