NCERT Partition Module Sparks Row: Congress, BJP and Others Clash Over Historical Narrative

NCERT’s new Partition module blames Jinnah, Congress, and Mountbatten for 1947. BJP calls it “truth-telling,” Congress accuses BJP-RSS of rewriting history. #NCERTControversy trends as debate intensifies.

A new NCERT module for Classes 6 to 12, released on Partition Horrors Remembrance Day, has set off a major political storm, with the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) trading sharp barbs. The NCERT module identifies Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Congress leadership, and Lord Mountbatten as the three principal actors responsible for India’s Partition, sparking fierce debate both in Parliament and online under trending hashtags like #NCERTControversy, #PartitionHorrors, and #HistoryDebate.

What the NCERT Module Says

The supplementary educational material asserts that Partition was “not inevitable” and assigns responsibility to “Jinnah, who demanded it; the Congress, which accepted it; and Mountbatten, who implemented it.” It also criticizes Mountbatten’s “hasty” decision to advance the transfer of power from June 1948 to August 1947, which led to chaotic boundary demarcations.

The NCERT module details the devastating human cost of Partition — the displacement of nearly 1.5 crore people, mass communal violence, and enduring legacies such as the Kashmir conflict. It cites Nehru’s statement that “Partition is bad, but the price of civil war would be infinitely greater,” Sardar Patel’s view of Partition as “bitter medicine,” and Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent opposition, though he eventually relented to prevent bloodshed.

BJP Defends, Targets Congress

The BJP has strongly defended the module, framing it as an honest portrayal of history. BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia described Congress as the “Rahul-Jinnah party”, arguing that Rahul Gandhi’s “appeasement politics” mirrors Jinnah’s divisive ideology. “NCERT has brought the truth of Partition to textbooks. The Rahul-Jinnah party is rattled because their role is exposed,” Bhatia said.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla posted on X, “We cannot shy away from facts. Nehru’s own words supported Partition. Congress continues its appeasement legacy.” Another BJP post declared, “The truth of Partition must be taught. Congress can’t rewrite history.”

Congress Slams, Calls for Module’s Withdrawal

Congress leaders have condemned the module as politically motivated and factually distorted. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera demanded the document be “set on fire,” claiming it omits the role of the Hindu Mahasabha and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). “The real culprits were the Hindu Mahasabha and Muslim League’s collaboration. The RSS is the biggest villain in this history,” Khera said.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge posted on X, “You can alter textbooks, but not the nation’s history. This is a BJP-RSS ploy to distort facts.” Senior leader Sandeep Dikshit challenged NCERT to a public debate, accusing the ruling party of rewriting history for political gain.

Other Voices and Perspectives

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi demanded inclusion of Muslims Against Partition by Shamsul Islam in the curriculum, arguing that ordinary Muslims had limited voting rights and were unfairly blamed. Historian Dr. Om Jee Upadhyay called Partition “one of history’s greatest tragedies,” stressing the need for students to learn about its complexities to avoid repeating past mistakes.

The controversy has exploded on social media, with #NCERTControversy and #PartitionHorrors trending nationwide. BJP supporters wrote, “NCERT is finally teaching the truth about Partition. Congress can’t hide its role,” while Congress backers countered, “BJP is rewriting history to defame Congress and shield RSS.” Many users also flagged earlier disputes around NCERT revisions, including alleged omissions about the Maratha Empire, arguing that the curriculum is increasingly politicized.