Saffronising History

The Indian Council of Historical Research( ICHR) is an independent and prestigious academic institution which has boasted of great names like Romila Thapar and Bipin Chandra. They have not only studied and done extensive research on Indian History but also have taken it as a social responsibility to write history for School students. However things are very different since the BJP government has come to power last year.

Y.Sudershana Rao who headed the Akhil Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Yojana, the history wing of the Sangh Parivar was appointed last June as the ICHR Chairman by the Modi government.Prof Rao has supposedly recommended a few names from the Sangh Parivar to the ICHR Council. They all agree on restructuring of the History Syllabus taught in schools.

As an offshoot of the new developments, Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, an eminent economic historian has resigned as the Chief Editor of the Indian Historical Review, the journal published by the ICHR. While denying any differences with the Chaiman, his comment was most illuminating.

“ History is too important to be left to politicians.”

In the coming days we will see the changes on the Sangh’s agenda. Our diverse heritage will soon be replaced by pure Hindu overtones. Our children and their children may read about Savarkar and Nathuram Godse as the heroes of Indian Independence. Bhagavad Gita is set to become the ultimate text and the Caste or Varna system that Krishna preaches to Arjuna will soon be sanctioned by God himself. As the saying goes…

“Those who forget history

Are condemned to repeat it.”

-Dr. N.J.D