Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has condemned the Rajasthan government for its continued attempts to “erase” the rich legacy and contributions of tribal communities from the academic syllabus.  Ashok Gehlot in a statement on the removal of the ‘Mangarh Dham’ chapter from the syllabus, said that it was unfortunate and shameful that the Bharatiya Janata Party has once again shown its disregard for tribal identity and history. 

“The removal of the chapter on Mangarh Dham, a sacred site of tribal resistance, from the Class 4 textbook is not just an academic omission — it is a deliberate act of historical erasure,” said Gehlot.  “Ever since coming to power, the BJP has consistently attempted to diminish the contributions of India’s tribal communities. Its disregard for tribal identity is once again visible in the removal of the history of Mangarh Dham from the fourth-grade syllabus,” said Gehlot on his X Handle. 

He said this is not the first such incident. “Earlier, the BJP removed the story of Kalibai, a young tribal girl who sacrificed her life for the cause of education. Previously, the story of Kalibai, a brave young woman who championed education and awakened awareness among marginalised communities, was also erased from textbooks.

These acts are not isolated– they reflect a larger, deliberate effort to erase the sacrifices, valour, and legacy of tribal communities from public memory. But let it be clear: the sacrifices of our tribal heroes are not so fragile that they can be wiped out with a stroke of a pen.”  He demanded an apology from the BJP to the tribal communities and called for the immediate reinstatement of the chapters on Mangarh Dham, Kalibai, and other tribal icons in school textbooks.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)