UPGRADATION OF POLITICAL SCIENCE- A PATH TO MAKING OF FUTURE GENERATION A VOTE BANK?

The National Council of Education Research & Training (NCERT) updated and revised the Political Science syllabi of Class 12 by removing the topic ‘Separatism & Beyond’ and thereby adding into it the ‘Scrapping of Article 370’ under the head ‘Regional Aspirations’. The Article 370 and the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was scrapped in August 2019 and in less than a year the scrapping of the said article has been included. Further, the old map has been replaced with the new map of India.

THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE DECISION-

The decision by the concerned authorities is taken with a view to

·       Make students familiar with diverse facets of Political Scientists

·       Make students understand the historical process which shaped the present political structure

·       Make students understand about the situation in which Indian Constitution has been drafted

·       Make students understand the relation between Constitutional provisions and its applicability in political life

·       Strengthen the capacity and role of students in analyzing the contemporary issues and thinking of the country’s development

ANALYSIS OF REVISED SYLLABI-

The NCERT revised the syllabus and made an addition of Scrapping of Article 370 under the head ‘Regional Aspirations’ and dropped the separatist politics of Jammu & Kashmir. The head ‘Regional Aspirations’ lays down the history of coalition governments in Jammu & Kashmir during 2002-2014, the death of Mufti Mohammad and his daughter becoming first Chief Minister of the state. During the Mufti’s tenure, the state witnessed terrorism and internal and external tensions.

The Separatist Mindset and Article 370-

Article 370 has been abrogated and Jammu & Kashmir has been denied of any special status. This scrapping was done to facilitate economic prosperity of the state and so that Kashmir would no more be alienated and after its complete development it will socially and economically prosper. Further, its removal would be helpful in dealing with territorial disputes with Pakistan and also in protection of Kashmiri Pandits. However, the revocation of Article 370 is much popular in the country but there is widespread panic in POK and there are number of challenges and protests emerging against this decision of Indian Government.

The section of ‘Separatism and Beyond’ has been removed which laid down different class of separatist politics in Kashmir since 1989 which are as follows-

·       People who wanted a separate Kashmiri nation

·       People who wanted to merge Kashmir with Pakistan

·       People who wanted greater autonomy and independence within Indian Union

Moreover the new map of India is inserted replacing the old one. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued the study material which includes one section thereby stating that Modi Government led a shift from “caste-based or religion-based politics to governance and development oriented politics.”

What is Caste-based or Religion-based Politics?

Before the Modi Hindu Nationalist Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) came into power, the politics was influenced by caste or religious system. The majority of Indians preferred political leaders from their own caste or religion and this thinking of people played a significant role in state and general elections. This was most common among illiterate caste and religious groups.

Let us understand the role of small caste based groups in politics with an help of General Election held in 2015. BJP liaised with Anupriya Patel of Apna Dal with an objective to target Kurmi caste group and to ensure victory from Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Also, the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party of Bihar, with its Koeri caste support, collaborated with Ram Vilas Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party, with its Dusadh caste base, to form a grand alliance. In addition to this, BJP formed small caste-based political parties to target marginalized and Dalits. These strategies of BJP government were the main reasons for it success in forming of Government.

Therefore, caste and religion played important role in deepening the Indian democracy. If we look upon the politics in context of caste and as a source of democratic resources, this is clear utilization of perks of democracy and people failed to receive any of the benefits from leader of their own caste.

However, the shift from such caste and religion based politics to development oriented government had turned the criticism faced by BJP into an electoral magnet.

 

Now the question arises here is whether this decision of revising of syllabus by NCERT & CBSE is an educational propaganda of Government to make the upcoming generation a vote bank? Whether this decision in any manner paves a path towards era of ‘One Party Dominance’?

One Party Rule is a system where a single party forms the government and runs the country. This system ensures political stability and facilitates fast decision making. But whether providing education of political science to students in any manner help government in context of politics?

In lieu of nation building and making the democracy of India more efficient and effective, is the political science a way to make educational institutions a medium to play major role in voting system?

We have noticed that well educated people show high turnout in elections because it is related to the political efficacy of students. The education has become propaganda to enhance social justice and mobility. Teaching students the subject of political science is to prepare them for civilization of country. But there prevails political corruption in our education system. Education increases the political participation and political awareness among students. However the question as to what motivates political participation is centre to political science. Education imbibes the cognitive abilities that facilitate more critical and deep thinking that may provide support. Further, it results into value change, individual voice and self thoughts and expressions. It results into social conformity and educated voters become aware of political outcomes.

GURNEET KAUR

BBA LLB (H)

ICFAI UNIVERSITY, DEHRADUN

Disclaimer: This article is the personal opinion of the author. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any Indian Government or any other Government of the world.