NCERT 12th Political Science textbooks now include the scrapping of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The textbook ‘Politics of India since Independence’ was revised for the 2020-21 session and this topic is included in the chapter ‘Regional Aspirations’.

The changes in the NCERT book primarily do away with the separatist politics and include information on electoral politics in the context of Jammu and Kashmir.

The topic explains how on August 5, 2019, Parliament removed the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 and bifurcated the state into two union territories — Ladakh which would have no Legislative Assembly and Jammu, and Kashmir which would have one.

The topic on Article 370 says that Jammu and Kashmir enjoyed a special status but “in spite of it” the region saw cross-border terrorism and political instability that took the life of many and also cause the displacement of Kashmiri Pandits.

Portion on separatist politics removed

Moreover, the revised political science textbook also deleted a portion which explained the categories of separatists in Kashmir in the chapter ‘Separatism and Beyond’.

Terms of Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti included

The NCERT textbook change also included the developments seen in Jammu and Kashmir since 2002 such and talks about both National Conference leader Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti’s terms and chief ministers.

The book notes how Mehbooba Mufti’s tenure saw “major acts of terrorism”.

The changes in the NCERT book explains how President’s Rule was imposed in June 2018 after BJP removed support from the Mufti government and goes on to state the withdrawal of Article 370.

The NCERT 12^th book states “Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are living examples of plural society in India.”

The same chapter in the Political Science textbook also talks about Punjab and the Northeast.

NCERT textbooks are used all across India in CBSE-affiliated schools. Around 19 school systems from 14 states prescribe these books to students.