Opposition slams CBSE for dropping chapters on democracy, secularism from syllabus

New Delhi : Soon after Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced reducing syllabus for Class 9 to Class 12 students by dropping chapters on democracy and secularism, the opposition parties slammed the move and claimed it to be an attempt towards propagating a particular ideology.

Mixed reactions were received from different sections of the society; while some welcomed the move to reduce the pressure on students, others protested against it and said it is ideologically driven. Some others claimed that it will reduce the quality of education and will work against the students.

The CBSE on Tuesday announced that they will be rationalizing the syllabus for Class 9 to Class 12 by up to 30 per cent to make up the academic loss of students due to coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns.

However, the decision to drop topics from social science drew criticism from political parties like Congress, Left, Trinamool Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena.

The Congress said removal of chapters on Federalism, Secularism, Nationalism and citizenship, which are the pillars of Indian democracy, is a crude joke on democracy and is highly condemnable. 

Party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said it is unconstitutional and wondered if it is part of a "bigger conspiracy". 

He also claimed that the decision will be challenged in the court on his personal capacity and not behalf of the Congress party.

"It is a crude joke and a wrong step and needs to be condemned. Federalism is the integral part of the basic structure of the Constitution. Federalism and secularism are institutional and non-institutional pillars of Indian Democracy. What message are you giving to our children if you say these words do not mean much," he said at a press conference.