Three history books: ‘ABC of History of Punjab’ written by Manjit Singh Sodhi, ‘History of Punjab’ by Mahinderpal Kaur, ‘History of Punjab’ by M S Mann, have been banned by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) on Saturday, on the basis of inquiry reports which found distorted facts in these books.
After five years of protests by Sikh scholars and farm activists, the Punjab government has finally banned three history books for allegedly distorting facts related to Sikh history. The books allegedly distorted facts related to Sikh history and contained unfounded remarks on Sikh gurus and personalities.
Punjab education minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer tweeted in Punjabi –
“Sikh history is invaluable for all of us and the generations to come. False facts about Sikh history were presented in class 12th book ‘History of Punjab’. On the orders of CM Bhagwant Mann, we have banned the books and issued orders for action against the guilty authors/publishers.1/2”
“The students are our assets, and the main focus of our government is to educate them and make them aware of the history of our Gurus-Saints, Sikh world and Punjab. 2/2”
These books include ‘ABC of History of Punjab’ written by Manjit Singh Sodhi, ‘History of Punjab’ by Mahinderpal Kaur, ‘History of Punjab’ by M S Mann. Amritsar-based farmer leader and social activist Baldev Singh Sirsa and gangster-turned-social activist Lakha Sidhana had raised objections on various facts about Sikh Gurus mentioned in these history books which students in Punjab government schools were reading. Thereafter, the then school education minister Pargat Singh had even ordered an inquiry into these books in February.
Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) chairman Yograj Singh had told the media on Saturday that the three books had been banned for distortion of facts. The school education department accepted the contents of the inquiry report with the direction that the books be banned for sale and not be taught in Punjab’s schools.
He has also ordered a probe into the contents of another book written by AC Arora and three other authors which was being sold without PSEB’s approval. The PSEB chairman said that appropriate action would be taken against the guilty on the basis of the outcome of the inquiry report.
“Based upon the findings of the inquiry report, various follow-up actions have been suggested by the government to make the officials concerned accountable for the lapses”, said the PSEB chairman.
