Text of resignation letter written by Prof. Suhas Palshikar and Prof. Yogendra Yadav to the head of the National Council of for Educational Research and Training following Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal's announcement that the government is withdrawing a political science textbook containing an “objectionable” cartoon of Babasaheb Ambedkar:
1.The textbook (‘Indian Constitution at Work') was first published in 2006 and so far has received appreciation from various quarters, scholars, educationists and students. This book is being taught since 2006 without change since then. The purpose of the textbook is to not only give reliable information but also to encourage students to think, and seek more information on their own. From this perspective, the textbook has included many additional elements besides the text; these include dialogues by two student characters, photographs, original documents (in facsimile), newspaper clippings and cartoons.
2. The cartoon on page 18 is by the famous cartoonist Shankar. This is a cartoon not done for the textbook but published at the time when the Constituent Assembly was working. It does not criticise or comment upon Dr. Ambedkar. It depicts Dr. Ambedkar as the one who is in charge of Constitution-making. Since the book has included many cartoons from that era, it is only natural that those cartoons depict many leaders of that time, including the makers of the Constitution.
3. However, the text on pages 17 and 18 amply elaborates why the making of the Constitution took considerable time, and what procedures were followed by the Assembly. It is also explained that deliberation and consensus were the key elements of Constitution-making.
4. In no way does the text or the cartoon denigrate or downplay the contribution of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Since this textbook is in continuation of the Standard X textbook, it assumes the knowledge about the role and contribution of Dr. Ambedkar. In the Standard X textbook, on page 48, Dr. Ambedkar's role is explained, and also a quotation from his speech is given for students to better understand his approach.
5. It may also be mentioned that the textbook had gone through very detailed scrutiny and finally was also vetted by a Monitoring Committee co-chaired by Professors Mrinal Miri and G.P. Deshpande. The national Monitoring Committee included, among others, Professors Gopal Guru and Zoya Hasan of JNU.
6. Before publication the textbook was also reviewed by many eminent scholars and was highly appreciated for its balanced treatment and student-friendly structure.
Suhas Palshikar, Professor, Department of Politics & Public Administration, University of Pune.
Yogendra Yadav, Senior Fellow, Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, Delhi.
Keywords: text of resignation letter, cartoon row, Prof. Suhas Palshikar, Prof. Yogendra Yadav, NCERT books
I am Swapnil Jaikumaar. I am born Neo Buddhist, I and my family
members are closely related to Social Activities. We Neo-Buddhists
(formerly Dalits) condemn these attacks. We are not against cartoon of
Babasaheb Ambedkar. Everyone has freedom of speech and expression.
This cartoon was published when Babasaheb was alive. We believe that
He would had been the first to understand and appraise the Humour of
this cartoon...By these attacks we the followers of Babasaheb are
deeply pained...we don't support these. Stop attacks on freedom of
speech...Speech is there both to praise and to criticize...it is our
constitutional right...It was given to us by our beloved Dr. Babasaheb
Ambedkar...Don't strangulate our freedoms.
I support the cartoonist's right to freedom of expression and get it
published anywhere. But as far as its display in text books is
concerned, I think it is a delicate matter. If it is quite
controversial, with some groups opposing and some supporting, etc.
then better that it is taken out of text books, because children are
not expected to be fed controversies. However, I am stressing that the
cartoon per se is not objectionable or in any way defamatory to
anybody. It is critical no doubt but such criticism is permitted and
also should be welcome. Only the place of its placing may not be
appropriate. So if necessary the cartoon may be taken out of the text
book but not the text which is claimed to be standard and appreciated
by scholars. In the place of cartoon photos of Nehru, Rajendra Babu,
Ambedkar, et al may be placed. I also regret that Ambedkar is blown
out of proportion and great figures like Babu Rajendra Prasad,
President of the CA, Nehru, main motivator, etc. are berated.
Aah.. I now understand why some people are so upset about the cartoon
in the book. There is an assumption that you ought to have completed Standard X to really appreciate the cartoon and the tremendous work done by Ambedkar.
How puerile of us to miss this fact. Of course several of our aggrieved >parliamentarians and the goons who vandalized Prof. Palshikar's office have never completed Standard X. I now understand very well.
It is very said to see our leaders are getting so near sighted. They should have at least looked in to the context of that cartoon. I doubt if any of these leaders have at least read the whole book. It is so sad to see parliament being used for such useless and counter productive discussions.
We have so many problems to discuss and find solutions,yet our leaders find ways to stall >parliament. This situation warrants that we >require a minimum of masters degree for becoming an member of any legislative body.
The cartoon over which this rows is created,can not be justified on
the basis that it's only purpose is to explain the constitution making
process in a better way. Eminent people like Prof. Suhas Palshikar and
Prof. Yogendra Yadav should have given enough thought on it, depicting
our National leader Dr.B.R.Ambedkar like this will not inculcate any
value.It is really a matter of serious concern,and how a progressive
nation can depict their eminent leaders in a cartoon like this , in
the text book of 11th class.It will just reflect on kind of respect we
hold for our leaders of great national importance. It has offended the
sentiments of SC/ST communities in particular who look up at Babasaheb
with great pride & respect ,and of all citizens of this progressive
nation at large.
The ban which was applied on this so called "objectionable" political
science textbook seems nothing but another abominable political move.
The book which was written and verified by a group of very eminent scholars and they have found nothing objectionable in it.The people trying to crucify the book are working under the auspices of strong political parties with no interest on anyone's feeling or abashment,they only need a topic by which they can assail some great personality in our country.Keeping due respect to Babasaheb Ambedkar I would like to say that the decision of ban should be rechecked before practically applying on it.
There can be two reasons for this:
1. Paranoia
2. Delay tactics from corrupt politicians.
It's sad if it's the first and plain shocking if not. I just don't see
any hope for India. I have closely followed how these 'so-called'
leaders think, for the past few months and to say I'm disillusioned is a
major understatement. The funny thing is nobody has an idea how to stem
this rot.
Only sensible people may follow your advice, unfortunately sensible persons are now be
sidelined in Parliament of India and country is being run by on dictate of hooligans
The cartoon can be interpreted in many ways depending on which side of the fence you are. Nobody has any complaints about the contents of the text book. It is only the cartoon that has raised the hackles of the MPs. Nobody is ignorant about the yeoman service rendered by Dr Ambedkar in framing the constitution. I do not understand a text book carrying a cartoon, particularly a cartoon that would sow seeds of confusion in the young minds. May be it is innocent at the time it was published, but today when suspicions regarding the motives based on caste are running high, it can mean many things to many people. The fact that it took such a long time to frame the constitution explains the stability of it today. The cartoon narrowly interpreted would give the idea that Dr Ambedkar was dragging his feet in framing it and that it needed a dashing Nehru to hurry things forward. It could put conflicting ideas in the young minds today. It may not be obnoxious but the book can do without it.
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