Textbook calls Modi a ‘mute spectator’ in 2002 riots, FIR against 4

NEW DELHI: An FIR was registered against three authors and publisher after Class 12 textbook called Modi a ‘mute spectator’ during the 2002 anti-Muslim genocide.

Soumitra Goswami and Manav Jyoti Bora lodged an FIR accusing the publisher and the authors of spreading ‘false information.’

According to The Indian Express, Page 376 of the last chapter of the Class 12 textbook based on an NCERT titled ‘Recent Issues and Challenges’ with sub-section titled ‘Godhra Incident and Anti-Muslim Riot in Gujarat’ translates into:

“In this incident (burning of coach) 57 persons died including women and children. On the suspicion that Muslims were behind the incident, next day Muslims were mercilessly attacked in different parts of Gujarat. This violence continued for over a month and over a thousand people were killed. Most of those killed were Muslims. Significantly, at the time of the violence, the Narendra Modi-led BJP government was a silent spectator. Moreover, there were allegations that the state administration helped the Hindus.”

Among those named in the FIR are — Durga Kanta Sarma (former head of the Department of Political Science of Arya Vidyapeeth College), Rafiq Zaman (former head of the Department of Political Science of Goalpara College) and Manash Protim Baruah (current head of the department of South Kamrup College). The publisher of the book is Guwahati-based Assam Book Depot.

Speaking to India Today, Manash Protim Baruah said, “The book is written based on an NCERT textbook and was first published seven years ago. We have not written anything, which is not in the public domain. There are several other books, including ones prescribed by the NCERT that have the same content regarding the Gujarat riots.”