The Union government on Wednesday said the recommendations of the Thorat committee were being examined by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) through specified institutional processes and a final decision is expected to be taken seriously.
In a written reply, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal told the Lok Sabha that the Thorat Committee had submitted its report to the NCERT recommending some changes in four text books — Democratic Politics 1- Class X, Democratic Politics 11 - Class X, Indian Constitution at Work - Class XI and Politics in India since Independence - Class XII.
In addition, the Committee has made some general recommendations to be considered at the time of general review of books.
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The NCERT enjoys full academic autonomy in developing, printing and distribution of text books, Mr. Sibal said.
The NCERT had constituted a six-member Committee under the chairmanship of Professor S.K. Thorat, chairman of Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) to provide suggestions for alternatives to be placed in the textbooks so that the material can be immediately made available to the learners, Mr. Sibal said.
Meanwhile, the NCERT has held several meetings with the textbook review committee to take a final call on the Thorat Committee report. A sub committee is also in the process of finalising a formal response to the Committee on behalf of the NCERT. The experts said the controversial cartoon on B.R. Ambedkar and another one on anti-Hindi agitation in Tamil Nadu were most likely to be removed. The Committee’s recommendations have, however, come under criticism as one of the members M.S.S. Pandian sent a dissenting note.
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The Thorat panel has sought removal of about 21 cartoons, which it believes contains inappropriate messages.