The six-member panel constituted to review the cartoons used in social sciences textbooks of the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has ordered the deletion of several cartoons and words that it says are either “ambiguous”, negative or show politicians and bureaucrats in an ‘incorrect way.
Among the material that gets the chop:
an R.K. Laxman cartoon from the 1950s showing Nehru telling France and Portugal (represented as monkeys, in the context of the demand that they leave Pondicherry and Goa) that ‘I admit years back you were living happily right here when this was all a colonial jungle… but we’ve cleared it now and built a decent house! So you must quit!’ (“Cartoon may be deleted. No politician or institution may be represented as animals”)
a Surendra cartoon from The Hindu showing babus blocking the RTI (“may be deleted as it is not a correct interpretation of the role of the bureaucracy”)
a Huffaker cartoon from the U.S. called ‘One-Party Country’ showing a porcine tycoon with the Senate, presidency and Supreme Court in his pockets (“may be deleted because politicians and institutions are represented as animals”)
an R.K. Laxman cartoon showing a beggar holding a bowl out to a garlanded Indira Gandhi (“may be deleted — being politically sensitive)
in a cartoon describing two Emergency-era notions — “Put simply, committed judiciary and committed bureaucracy means that the judges and officers should be loyal to the ruling party. What a pity!” — the panel says “What a pity!” should be removed.
a Shankar cartoon called ‘Kicking upstairs’ showing Nehru using his foot to propel a politician up into a building labelled ‘Governorship’ (“may be deleted as it conveys a sense of ambiguity”)
The panel’s 40-page report was submitted to the government on June 27. Its terms of reference were to identify educationally inappropriate materials and provide alternative suggestions for the six textbooks in Political Science. One member, M.S.S. Pandian — who said he found nothing objectionable in the books — has issued a dissenting note.
Justifying the proposed deletions, the panel majority headed by S.K. Thorat says in its report: “They [authors] may have reasons to believe that the cartoons used were not offensive but only reflected commonly perceived notions. In a society as vast and as diverse as India is, there can always be room for different understanding of the text and interpretation of visuals, and especially cartoons could be viewed differently by different segment of society. It is more so when multiple sensitivities get involved. The sensitivities, genuine or perceived, have to be taken note of and addressed carefully.”
Calling for wider consultation and feedback in the future, the panel said the “best way for that can be pre-testing of texts and visuals in different setting such as rural- urban and various types of schools, discussion with different religious minorities and ethnic minorities, involvement of teachers and faculty from different social and religious background in textbook development, periodic updating, improving and redressing objections in an appropriate academic manner.”
Keywords: NCERT, social science text books, political cartoons, Ambedkar cartoon row, anti-Hindi agitation, M.S.S. Pandian
What does the education ministry wants to do? First, they made it easy for everyone to pass till SSC. Now, the poor Cartoons in the textbooks!? New media like internet, social sites, blogs etc have left no stone unturned to
create an impact on people’s mind. The wits of kids have grown
exceptionally too & they possess more knowledge, more understanding
and they have a lot more ideas. I doubt the amount of negative impact
these cartoons could do to their minds which probably knows more than
what we knew when we were of their age.Putting a ban on such things,
we are not only underestimating the creativity in the children but
also taking away their freedom of expression. Off course as the
citizens of India, they have this right to know everything, and at the
same time express their views as and when they feel wrong about it.
And this work is done by cartoons in the most creative and subtle way.
No surprise for me,nobody worried about this curbing of freedom of
expression,its nothing but distorting the history and lying to our future
generations.first religion fundamentalist who demands ban next its turn
of politicians,why we so scared of a cartoons,why we are not accepting the
truth,we must demand for constructive criticism and questioning, Indian
democracy and freedom of speech taking wrong path which very against the
spirit of freedom and constitution.
how about you order govt. to release the name of Black money people in Swiss. and how about Lokpal.......
Why only u target Cartoons
In this case, at least in readings, I haven't come across a convincing
reason by any academic for the existence of such cartoons. I think
mostly people hide in grand phrase like "Freedom of speech".
Lets think this way..
1. Why do we need cartoons in text books?
2. What kind of cartoons are appropriate for text book?
Then in specific instance,
1. What is the intention of adding that specific cartoon?
2. Is there enough material to contrast various ideas in that context?
3. Would a casual look at the cartoon might create certain bias?
4. Was there a room for deliberation from multiple point of view.
In case of Anti-Hindi movement cartoon, is there a highlight between Nation, State, and Country? How deep would a class room in North India go to view that from a regional point of view. Democracy is engagement with others, specially the adversary. Erudite academics too are falling short in their part.
I think that these type of cartoons should be included in the text books. Because mugging up all the contents in the text book is not the thing that is meant by real education. The students must be allowed to think. They must be given a chance to express their opinion. It could be a negative opinion or positive opinion, but they must be given a chance atleast.
Right to freedom of expression is something that the students study in class 8, but when they get promoted to class 11, does it become irrelevant?
When I was in school, I used to draw my own cartoons around these text books! It is a shame that now works of great artists are being deleted. Do these politicians actually understand these are works of art? Hell they do. I am now a cartoonist myself and I am bent upon moving out of this country!
Censoring Cartoons would not bring in any benefits. By doing so they are just doing a kind of social conditioning. If everything had been taught and experienced in an "ideal" way which is acceptable for its promoters then what they want is not free thinking or creative individuals but insensitive and blind followers. Children need not suffer such arid mindscape! Let there be free play of ideas, opinions, thoughts and actions! Objection should be raised when something is detrimental to general social existence and to society's mores and our tradition and culture. Any action such as these, shows immaturity in thinking! Pity on them!
Yes to cartoons on magazines and newspapers. Text books are not the place for cartoons, particularly of offensive nature. But then, in India, it has become common for introducing political ideologies in school curriculum in direct or indirect ways by the parties in power.
Hope the panel will note the excellent comments on the subject.
That the recommendations of the NCERT come about at a time when our very 'sensitive' groups demand and enforce censorship is not surprising. It all adds up in a country where where universal education is given short shrift and knowledge must first be sifted by the authority of those few who know.
By accommodating all sorts of demands and interferences in our pedagogical approaches and syllabi, which are designed by experts after enough deliberations, we are weakening our institutions run by professionals. Our education system can either be productive or populist, we need to decide. Now, the demand for removing cartoons from NCERT books proves that once a wrong precedence is made, it will take to its logical end.
One one hand we expect our cartoonists to excel to meet the standards of 'Dilbert' and ‘Punch’ and then we eclipse their work to show respect to the demands of decency of varied demographic segments, by dwarfing their art and blunting their punch lines.
Panel's decision is acceptable and could not be seen as curtailing
freedom of speech. I have personally gone through all NCERT political
Science text books and have observed few of the cartoons as suggested in
the article have the scope to interpret in a different & unintended way.
Considering the age of children interpreting these cartoons they may
take the entire initiative as a way of criticizing
politicians/bureaucrats of their inability to handle the System rather
than giving them the idea how complex the system is.
The panel suggests for wider consultation, even with minorities which may get offended. That way we are heading towards complete logjam and will neither produce good text books nor good students and ultimately no good citizen (a perfect recipe for incompetent people to loot the country).
A cartoonist have the freedom of speech. A news paper reader may accept or reject the message in the cartoon.But a school text book present the information (here cartoon) as a factually correct knowledge. A child accepts that knowledge as it is.
Thefore a school text book is not an appropriate place for a political cartoon. Because the child does not have the option of ignoring the message.
It is the political class and fundamentalists who are hurt most by cartoons, not the masses. I wonder why rampant corruption, widespread poverty even after 60 years of independence, malnutritioned children, squalor & poverty fails to hurt them.
Instead, just delete cartoons altogether from all books..!!
Where is India going? If the people of India didn't wake now they are
as good as dead... The deletions are just those indispensable things
that are required for critical thinking. The GoI, in the name of
sensitivity, is trying to create a 'donkey' populace that worship them
as gods - if this allowed, I would not be surprised if India returns
to monarchy or colonialism in a few decades....
Due to the word limit, I couldn't go in detail but one thing is for
sure none of the cartoons portrayed anything different than what is in
the real-life. By removing these cartoons and the like, the GoI is
only ensuring that the children grow as IDIOTS, who believe and follow
the ruling politicians irrespective of being exploited...
If any country, which respects freedom of expression and support
critical thinking, is willing to take me in I'd happily GIVE UP MY
INDIAN CITIZENSHIP...
Hurting others sentiments is a much needed education? Its pathetic
guys are supporting offensive cartoons.. Are there any differences
between newspapers and text books? I welcome cartoons, but only in
newspapers , the readers are adults in most of the cases..But in text
book, nobody has the right to force somebody' s imaginations in any
form like cartoons etc etc... School going students mind signals
should not be distracted by betrayal , aversion or anybody's personal
critics.. The particular cartoon portrays , Tamil students know
neither Hindi nor English means, its idiotic mind reflection of the
cartoonist...Fault was not with those Tamil students, its with the
cartoonist... No objections for magazine / newspapers cartoon...Its
really interesting and much needed for a society..But cartoons in text
books are not at all required .. Please save children from cheap
politics like religion politics / caste politics and race politics...
Because children are BOSSES of FUTURE INDIA..
The heads of state of China, France, Russia and Germany do not know
English. Would Mr. R.K. Laxman consider them worthy of ridicule because
they can't read English much like the Tamil protester in the above
cartoon? In a free country can you force anyone to learn a particular
language? Why should the students have to study the opinion pieces of
cartoonists and editors. As a student I would like to see cartoons of
teachers as funny animals but of-course that is not allowed! Opinionated
ideas should have no place in school textbooks.
hmm.. I maybe the lone voice here. But I beg to differ. Cartoon in a
magazine focused on its small targeted audience and School text books
for the entire nation is not the same. And some Joke (Cartoon) without
its proper context might has the chances of being perceived differently.
Any joke which humors some, may hurt somebody else, and Text books are
not the place to experiment that.
Dangerous precedent in making. Now - textbooks, next - newspapers and any mass communication media. Isn't it Chinese syndrome caught by India?
Sure way to kill creativity!No sane person will find anything wrong in
these cartoons which have been recommended for deletion. Cartoons are a
mirror to the society and their display cannot be dictated by uninformed
people.If we take into account every minor sensibility whether right or
wrong we end up in a "censored state" both physically and mentally!
education should make a kid think in a broader way and not stereo type a student.this is a very bad move the while education system is in jeopardy because of communal politics and uneducated babus.....Indian politicians were thinking better before and now politics and politicians are just degrading the values of Indian democracy......and our vaguely constituted CONSTITUTION is not helping in making a case either
This is appalling. When our dear politicians cannot figure out a way to wriggle out of their multi-billion SCAMS, they could not find anything better than stifle creativity and free-speech. The so-called champions of dalits & poor cannot give justify how they have amassed wealth of crores of rupees and how there house renovation spend from taxpayers money costs almost about a crore but one cartoon (never intended to hurt anybody's sentiments) makes them counsel of the community.
The presence of such inefficient and uneducated leadership explains why India as a nation takes one step forward and three steps backwards.
We seem to be within hailing distance of a totalitarian setup, what with
anything showing those in authority in a critical light.
What a pity. NCERT constructed such useful books, all to be lost for political senstivities ... A more thorough discussion should be allowed, and textbooks be left to Professors and educationists.
This is shameful act.Every such things represent contemporary feelings
and were according to right of expression.This decision is politically
driven and should not be implemented.
The regression is mind-boggling. But then this kind of thinking was always there. Reminded me of the famous essay that Nehru wrote about himself—anonymously—in the Modern Review way back in the Thirties (?). Here is an excerpt from it that I found on the internet:
"..He calls himself a democrat and a socialist, and no doubt he does so in all earnestness, but every psychologist knows that the mind is ultimately slave to the heart ... Jawahar has all the makings of a dictator in him — vast popularity, a strong will, ability, hardness, an intolerance for others and a certain contempt for the weak and inefficient ... In this revolutionary epoch, Caesarism is always at the door. Is it not possible that Jawahar might fancy himself as a Caesar? ... He must be checked. We want no Caesars......"
There was then the same hue and cry by third-rate sycophants until the author disclosed his identity. I imagine that essay would be banned now if reprinted.
Really?
If they can't take criticism then they better start doing their jobs, for a change. I don't like the direction this is headed in.
Disgusting. Cartoons are nothing but the representation of facts in a funny manner. As we see, in Adarsh scam investigation, three CM's were deposed till now and what happened? Shinde passes to Chavan, Chavan passes to Deshmukh, Deshmukh passes to someone else. Or, all three of them blame the revenue ministry and officials in that. This is childish (school going kids do this) and the same is represented in a funny manner through cartoons.
Where is the basic 'freedom of expression' in this democracy? Why our politicians get offended of these, only they know. You guys know this? BalaSaheb Thackeray was a cartoonist in his earlier days. I love R K Laxman, Keshav(Hindu), Sridhar(Eenadu), Manjul(DNA) and Satish Acharya. They make my day.!
The biggest mistake Pandit Nehru had committed was the continuation of the then Indian Civil Service cadre. They could never get liberated from the colonial legacy and could successfully inherit it to the present IAS cadre with more virulence. The intolerance of even a cartoon shows their pigheadedness. Despite being independent over half a century, we the citizens, continue to prove our innocence to avail every deserving opportunity by the way of producing innumerable certificates right from the humble ration card onwards ! Pity indeed !
Text book panels are mouth piece of politicians and bureaucrats. Villans of freedom of expression. For everything they should consult the mullahs and talibans and get their approval. Interestingly Democratically Influentially Organized Talibanic Stupids.
In place of deleting cartoons and blocking posts from networking
websites, why cant they think of improving their image among common
people?? making direct communication to the people is not that difficult
as it seems to the politicians and bureaucrats of our country.
There are lot of cartoons published in Tamil weeklies like Ananda
vikatan and some dailies like Dina mani and dina thanthi.They
should be selected and included in the text books if they are
not objectionable to politiocians.it is appropriate for the students to know that there were good cartoonists even in south India.
Seriously, what a pity!!!
Even my comments can be perceived as offensive. So NO COMMENTS. ( Even
no comments as editorial space went blank during emergency was
considered offence.
Some of the justifications are so laughable that it certainly feels like the cartoons that are supposed to be deleted were decided first and the reasons are made up after that. This smacks of rationalization and political correctness. More danger is in kids learniong this than the cartoons!
If everything thing is so sensitive, and critical thinking so offensive,
what is the point of educating us at all? A line must be drawn between
malicious representation and genuine creative criticism.
Isn't this exactly what the UPA said the NDA are doing in Karnataka over the inclusion of Gita in school? This is strangling what ever true freedom of speech that is left. Shame on the panel. Grow up and look at some real issues rather than following your babu's.
So you don't want cartoons. The truth of the matter is the truth will remain no matter what. Will 2G scam show up in future text books? of the text book panel had been asked by the corruption kings not to portray their true nature at all. Bureaucrats can go around demanding bribes and the people of India will keep quiet? Then you need to have a strong lokpal which will mandate life imprisonment for the corrupt bureaucrats who are taking bribes, once you have that in place, maybe we can consider removing cartoons from textbooks.
Roll on India. Here comes the absolute police state. What next? Why should the press modify behaviour when there is going to be no change from the politicians? Will the political heirarchy guarantee that they will follow principles? Will politicians then behave appropriately? We will be willing to forego this part of our independence if the MP's, ministers reciprocate with better governance and tranparency. Fair deal I reckon but I might be in dreamland.
We can do away with these textbooks in its entiretyt and just ask China to send across the
books that they have got for their kids. They have of course cleansed their curriculum of all
potentially contentious ideas. Or better still, just be done with textbooks on languages. We can teach the basics and then move over to math and sciences, Why this charade?
Indian politicians are starting to resemble the _ (hint: it begins with T, ends with n, has 7 letters and 2 a's) day by day - issuing "off with their heads" orders to anything that they consider "offensive" to themselves. What's worse, they have their own conglomerate of "academicians, scholars and luminaries" to sugar-coat their imperialistic commands with a sprinkling of scholarly jargon so that their autocratic designs aren't easily detected. Indeed, the suggestion to remove "what a pity" is one best used as a one liner for addas with friend. It seems that the general logic used by the learned panel is "Something needs to be done; this is something; therefore it needs to be done".
PS - How fortunate I have already purchased those NCERT books, so I can enjoy those cartoons as much as I please. I do hope that Parliament doesn't pass a law demanding that all citizens on possession of the old books with the "offensive" content hand them in!
It is rediculous to remove political cartoons as they are a powerful way of expressing a situation with least words. I don't understand this protectionism of politicians.
It shows that the politicians have no sense of humour,and they donot accept reality.A bad precedent.Panels may come and panels may go,but ethical cartooning will stay.Don't lose heart cartoonist brothern..
It is surprising that so much effort is being taken to make sure that
politicians and bureaucrats are not shown in the bad light. They should realize that politicians and bureaucrats are not in the bad light because of cartoons but because of their own deeds. The publci in large suffers on a day to day basis because of these corrupt politicians and bureaucrats.
Perhaps Prof S.K. Thorat reasons are exactly why cartoons should be
allowed. There is already enough ambiguity about history. And unless
students are exposed to the problems and sentiments that people held
in that age students will never know what happened then and why are in
this predicament today. Like the way most people don't know that the
admiral of Shivaji's fleet was Daulat khan. Let us not deny our
children education that is free from political influence. And let them
learn to opine for themselves and to discover a brighter future for
themselves.
What is the need of the hour is reforming the education system across
India and ensuring that each govt school is as well equipped with both
infrastructure and faculty as is any good private school.
But as usual our myopic political ideology has over looked the macroscopic issues and has got caught in the micro details..
It's a cartoon, after-all. It should be taken in a lighter vein.
cartoon means what? Expression of a brilliant man, an artist of his
view of the society in which he is living It is contemporary. He
will not express his ideas in an artistic way about the past events of
decades ago. Today's cartoons after a decade may look ambiguous.
Today's cartoon, we may look at it and enjoy the meaning that it exposes
now. Let it not be carried into text books of tomorrow, if politicians
and the bureaucrats do not like to see it.
SAD, SAD, SAD. Are we competing with China on control over ideas as well?
it is sad that the Govt is trying to control freedom of expression. None of the cartoons mentioned above would be banned in any other democracy. What is next? Banning such cartoons in newspapers and magazines?
Ban language too! Any written/spoken can be misinterpreted by anybody. My sentiments will be offended by any possible misinterpretation coz, come on, there are never any good misinterpretations. Ban everything! Or make the lawyers write textbooks! Or create a censor board for education. Any educational material should be approved by this censor board and shouldn't hurt the sentiments of any living being!
Every day Indians, including school going children, should recite: "We are Indians. We do not like jokes about us Indians, we do not understand and cannot appreciate good jokes, though of course, we love joking about non-Indians. Our leaders and bureaucrats are paragon of virtue and cannot laughed at."
This is an assault on free speech. Children should be taught the art of subtlety, and
should be encouraged to criticize leaders when they are wrong, and express
themselves creatively - cartoons are a great way to do that.
On a separate note, the kicking upstairs cartoon is extremely relevant even today. isn't that what effectively is happening to Pranab Mukherjee? The nation is being spared of his incompetence by kicking him upstairs!
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