Stop replacing word India with South Asia in California syllabus!Wishesh Special

March 22, 2016 12:52
Stop replacing word India with South Asia in California syllabus!

Here is an immediate need to act as an Indian! Or else, California school students would learn that India did not exist before 1947! Is it sounding absurd? Yes, a group of faculty of South Asia studies are seeking the California Board of Education to replace the word “India” with “South Asia” in the History Social Science Frameworks. This is because it is believed by them that India did not exist before 1947 and thus, a concocted and stereotypical generalization like "South Asia" is needed to discuss Indian history prior to 1947.

It is ridiculous that India, a country with an age-old history, is considered by few as not existed before 1947! Indian history is divided into Ancient History, Medieval India, Early Modern India, and Modern India. The country has the history where the Indus Valley Civilization was developed and flourished in Pakistan and Western India during 2500-1900 BCE. The oldest scriptures of Hinduism, the Vedas were composed during 2000-500 BCE. Four religions Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism have originated in India, while Zoroastrianism, Christianity, Judaism and Islam arrived the country in the 1st millennium CE, thus shaping the diverse culture of the region. With such an ancient history, and unique culture, how far is it acceptable to remove the word India from the syllabus?  

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If the suggested changes are made, students of California, including those belonging to Indian diaspora will be studying about just ‘South Asia’, without any reference to India as a unique, vast cultural and geographical entity with a rich heritage and past. If this happens, Indian culture and history will be categorized into ‘South Asia’ in general and there by unique heritage of India is denied.

Here is a chance for you to act fast and prevent this absurd change. Several scholars have initiated a petition that points towards the absurdity and urges the Board to deny the suggestions from the group of faculty of South Asia studies.

The petition said, “What is even more absurd and self-contradictory in their recommendations is their suggestion (which is one of the changes you seem to have accepted) that “India” be removed in all references to the past, but then used again in phrases like “ancient Indian religion” – the new phrase being used to replace the term “Hinduism." Is this the kind of logic and rigor that students of California, the high-tech capital of the world, are going to be taught? Are teachers going to be expected to tell their students, "Ok, class, in ancient South Asia (not ancient India), the people practiced the religion of ancient India (not Hinduism)"?”

The petition has been signed by scholars and academics like Madhu Kishwar, Ramesh Rao, Vishal Mishra, Yvette Rosser, Kausik Gangopadhyay, Madhu Kishwar, Ramdas Namb and Shalendra Sharma. Already 10,464 supporters signed the petition. Students, teachers or parents can sign in and support the open letter to the California Board of Education. Sign in and project your voice.

Here is the petition

- Sumana

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