Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
Bareilly, Jul 5: All India Muslim Jamaat (AIMJ) president Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi on Sunday urged authorities to immediately ban school textbooks allegedly containing content that glorifies separatist leaders and militants in Jammu and Kashmir, warning that such material could have a harmful influence on students.
His remarks came after the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples' Forum (JKPF), a social organisation, alleged that a textbook procured under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme included references that portrayed separatist figures and terrorists, including Maqbool Bhat, in a favourable light.
Speaking to reporters, Razvi said it was deeply concerning that educational material allegedly contained detailed references to individuals associated with terrorism.
"It is unfortunate that those responsible for preparing the curriculum considered it appropriate to include the names of terrorists and teach children about them," he said.
The AIMJ chief cautioned that exposing students to content that appears to glorify terrorism could encourage radicalisation among the younger generation.
He also criticised the administration for allowing such material to remain in circulation and called for a comprehensive review of the curriculum.
According to Razvi, the existing textbooks should be replaced with new editions highlighting the teachings of Sufi saints, particularly those from Kashmir, to promote peace, patriotism and communal harmony.
He said a curriculum centred on Sufism and the contributions of Kashmiri Sufi scholars would help instil national pride while discouraging extremist ideologies.
Razvi further urged the authorities to examine the role of those involved in drafting the curriculum and ensure that revised textbooks reflecting these values are introduced in schools.
He added that terrorism should not be associated with any particular religion and stressed the need to educate children with values that reject violence and extremism.
The controversy follows allegations that certain textbooks supplied under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme contain material praising separatist figures. The issue has also led to political reactions in Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier, the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah distanced itself from the decision of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to ban 25 books that were also alleged to contain content glorifying terrorism.
Abdullah had stated that the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the Union Home Ministry through the office of the Lieutenant Governor.
Razvi also welcomed the Centre's decision to designate 17 Pakistan-based individuals as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Referring to the government's action, he said those included in the list had played a significant role in promoting terrorism, specifically mentioning Hafiz Saeed. He added that Indian Muslims strongly condemn terrorism and emphasised that India's long-standing Sufi tradition promotes peace and rejects extremist violence.