NCERT module on partition naming Jinnah, Congress, Lord Mountbatten ‘culprits’ sparks debate

In a series of controversies, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has again triggered a debate, now for a module allegedly holding Muhammed Ali Jinnah, Lord Mountbatten, and Congress responsible for partition. The internet is split over the claims with opposition parties condemning the BJP government and others finding it a revelation of truth.

NCERT recently formed a panel to examine textbooks amid backlash. The council has been under fire for announcing major changes to curriculum, with chapters and modules on Mughal "brutality", operation sindoor, and removal of topics from history books.

Shared by many on social media, the NCERT special module says Jinnah demanded partition, Congress accepted plans, and the British leader implemented it. Under the title ‘Culprits of the Partition”, the book talks about how Mountbatten advanced the date of power transfer from June 1948 to August 1947 which led to lack of preparations and massive nationality confusion among Indians.

NCERT module on partition

The NCERT textbook module reads: “In this way, ultimately on 15 August 1947, India was divided. But this was not the doing of any one person. There were three elements responsible for the Partition of India: Jinnah, who demanded it; second, the Congress, which accepted it; and third, Mountbatten, who implemented it.”

“But Mountbatten proved to be guilty of a major blunder. He preponed the date for the transfer of power from June 1948 to August 1947. He persuaded everyone to agree to this. Because of this, complete preparations could not be made before the Partition. The demarcation of the Partition boundaries was also done hastily. For that, Sir Cyril Radcliffe was given only five weeks. In Punjab, even two days after 15 August 1947, millions of people did not know whether they were in India or in Pakistan. Such haste was a great act of carelessness.”

Also read Royal Objection: NCERT textbook draws flak from king over map showing Jaisalmer under Maratha rule

Several leaders in opposition including All India Congress Committee (AICC) passed strong remarks on the references in the NCERT books. Asking to set the book on fire, the leaders said, “Pages may have been added to NCERT, but BJP cannot erase the dark pages of its history from 1938, 1940, 1942, etc.”, referring to how BJP's ideological predecessor, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was found to be inactive in the national political movements against British rule in India.

NCERT books 'revealing truth'

Meanwhile, others came in support of the NCERT, praising the council for sharing a balanced account of the history.

“Why are some people upset when #NCERT writes the truth? Freedom was not the monopoly of any party; it was the result of millions of sacrifices. The tragedy of partition was the doing of Jinnah, Congress, and Mountbatten. Stop hiding history, stop running from the truth,” an X user said in a post.

Also read ‘Finally! Real, unfiltered history in schools’: NCERT textbook describing Mughals as ‘cruel’ gains praise

Another X user wrote, “A great initiative ,not for blame, but for truth and reconciliation. Because an honest nation must confront all of its history, not just the parts that are comfortable. May our students learn not just what happened, but why — and at what cost.”

“Muhammad Ali Jinnah – who demanded the partition. Congress – which accepted the partition. Lord Mountbatten – who implemented it. Now the coming generation will know the truth through NCERT books. Reading history in its true form is the real justice,” posted another user.