Upset family lodges protest
New Delhi: A book which forms part of the Delhi University’s History curriculum calls Bhagat Singh a “revolutionary terrorist”, prompting the freedom fighter’s family to raise the issue with DU authorities as well as HRD Ministry.
The book titled “India’s Struggle for Independence”, authored by noted historian Bipin Chadra and Mridula Mukherjee, mentions Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Surya Sen and others as “revolutionary terrorists” in Chapter 20.
The book also calls the Chittagong movement a ‘terrorist act’, while Sanders killing has been called an ‘act of terrorism’.
Bhagat Singh’s family has written a letter to HRD Minister Smriti Irani seeking her intervention in this regard and demanded appropriate changes in the textbook.
The family members also met DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Tyagi today who assured them of looking into the matter.
“This is a very sad precedent that even after 68 years of Independence such words are used for the revolutionaries, who gave their lives for the freedom of the nation. The Britishers, who hanged Bhagat Singh, described him as ‘true revolutionary’ in their judgement, even they didn’t use words like terror or terrorism. Using such words for revolutionaries in an attempt to stir controversy is very unfortunate” the freedom fighter’s nephew Abhey Singh Sandhu told reporters.
Maintaining that the book is taught in the history department as a “reference book” and not a “text book”, DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Tyagi said they have taken note of the request.
“The book is taught as a reference book in our history department but is not a text book or published or authored by DU professor,” he told PTI.
“Few members of his (Bhagat Singh’s) family met me today. We have taken note of the request and the matter is being looked into,” Tyagi added.
Sandhu demanded that the Government must step in and withdraw the book. “The book should be replaced by a new one with suitable amendments and correction,” he told PTI. He further said even the Britishers had described Bhagat Singh as a “true revolutionary”. (PTI)