Chandigarh, May 4: The errors in the PSEB Class XII book highlight the poor translation of Sikh history and presents poor knowledge of Sikh ethos, terminology, heritage and strictures, says Sikh scholar Kuldeep Singh Dheer.
Talking to The Tribune here on Thursday, he said Mir Manu had exterminated Sikhs and better words in both Punjabi and English are available to describe these events, which are important parts of Sikh heritage and history.
“The usage of improper words indicates the shallow understanding of Sikhism and these being part of school textbooks is fraught with danger of giving a wrong meaning while teaching about the religion,” he said.
The controversy over the matter had erupted last week after SADleader Daljit Singh Cheema wrote to the CM, pointing out “deletion” of 20 chapters from the textbooks. The government has been defending this, saying that the history syllabus was being realigned to NCERT syllabus.
But as the new textbook was circulated, the apparent mistakes in the book, with regards to dates, references to historical figures and incorrect usage of words while referring to several aspects of Sikhism, have come to light, giving more political fodder to Opposition parties. The Akali Dal has said that other than chapters on Sikh history going missing from the books, the mistakes were not minor.
Source Tribune India
