NCERT Remove 'Azad Kashmir,' Emphasizes 'Chinese Aggression' in Class 12 Political Science Textbooks

NCERT has revised its Class 12 Political Science textbooks, highlighting Chinese aggression on the Indian border and renaming "Azad Kashmir" to "Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK)." The updates also acknowledge the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019.

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has revised its Class 12 Political Science textbooks for the upcoming academic year. These changes include significant updates on India's relationship with China and the status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Highlighting Chinese Aggression

In the "Contemporary World Politics" chapter, the description of India's border situation with China has been modified. The previous phrase, "military conflict over a border dispute," has been replaced with "Chinese aggression on the Indian border." This change reflects the growing tensions and recent clashes between India and China, particularly in areas like the Galwan Valley and Pangong Lake in Eastern Ladakh.

Renaming Azad Kashmir

The textbook "Politics in India since Independence" has also seen notable revisions. The term "Azad Kashmir" has been replaced with "Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK)." This aligns with the Indian government's official stance on the region. The previous description, which mentioned Pakistan describing the area as "Azad Kashmir," now reads, "However, it is Indian territory under illegal occupation by Pakistan called Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK)." This change underscores India's claim over the region and highlights the ongoing territorial dispute.

Abrogation of Article 370

The updated textbooks now explicitly mention the abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. A new sentence has been added to the section on special provisions for certain states: "Article 370, which contains special provisions for J&K, was abrogated in August 2019." This update reflects the significant political shift that occurred with the Indian government's decision to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, integrating it more fully into the Indian Union.

Additional Context

These changes in the NCERT textbooks come amid broader geopolitical and domestic developments. The India-China border tensions have been a focal point of India's foreign policy, with numerous diplomatic and military engagements aimed at resolving the disputes. Similarly, the abrogation of Article 370 has been a contentious issue within India, with significant political, social, and economic implications for the region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The revisions aim to provide students with a more current and government-aligned perspective on these critical issues, ensuring that educational content reflects the latest developments and official positions.