New Delhi, May 14
Union Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal today promised to Parliament to “put in place a suitable process” to prevent recurrence of denigration of national leaders and politicians in cartoons in NCERT textbooks. He, however, added that these books were cleared by a national monitoring committee consisting of state government representatives and experts from across the country.

He said this while responding to a general outcry in the Lok Sabha against denigration of political leaders in NCERT textbook named “Indian Democracy at Work” in Class XII curriculum.

This is the second time in a week that Sibal and the government have faced embarrassment over NCERT textbooks carrying cartoons denigrating national leaders.

Last week, the minister had to apologise because of an offensive cartoon against Dr BR Ambedkar. Today again he had to eat a humble pie over cartoons painting politicians as “looters and criminals”.

BJP’s Yashwant Sinha demanded Sibal’s resignation. He was supported in his demand by only JD-U leader Sharad Yadav and TDP leader Nama Nageshwar Rao.

As soon as Question Hour began in the Lok Sabha, members were on their feet protesting against the cartoons and seeking explanation from the government. After Question Hour, SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal took the lead in pinning down the government.

Leaders of all parties, beginning with Sinha, took turns to defend the political class and lament the denigration of politicians by the media. Sinha insinuated since the final responsibility rests with the Human Resources Development Minister, he should resign forthwith.

It was, however, left to CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta to remind the members that there was no difference between this denigration and the insult heaped on politicians under Anna Hazare’s campaign.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad, who has been often lampooned in cartoons as fodder scamster, reminded members how they all relished and joined in when he was derided. He said this was a campaign by those who did not have enough people’s support to enter Parliament or legislative assemblies. Such persons were out to wreck democracy, he said.

In his written statement Sibal said: “In early May, I called for textbooks relating to political science for class IX and XI and perused the contents. I came to the opinion that a review of all textbooks of political science as well as a general review of all books of NCERT should be undertaken and to ensure that inappropriate material is excluded from these textbooks.”