Delhi University textbook labels Bhagat Singh as ‘terrorist’, sparks outrage

The DU textbook ‘India’s Struggle for Freedom’

Delhi University’s history textbook titled ‘India’s Struggle for Freedom’ has referred to freedom fighter Shaheed Bhagat Singh as a ‘terrorist’. Despite the fact that this book has been in circulation for two and a half decades, this error was noticed now and has enraged people all over the country.

The book, written by Bipin Chandra in 1990, also refers other freedom fighters like Chandra Shekar Azad and Surya Sen as ‘revolutionary terrorists’ while addressing the Chittagong Uprising and assassination of Sanders as ‘an act of terrorism’.

“This is a very sad precedent that even after 68 years of Independence such words are used for the revolutionaries, who gave their lives for the freedom of the nation. The Britishers, who hanged Bhagat Singh, described him as ‘true revolutionary’ in their judgment, even they didn’t use words like terror or terrorism.Using such words for revolutionaries in an attempt to stir controversy is very unfortunate,” stated Abhay Singh Sandhu, nephew of Bhagat Singh.

In addition, the families of the freedom fighters have requested the HRD ministry to rectify the mistakes. Union HRD minister Smriti Irani has condemned the wording of the book, calling the mistake as “academic murder”, and assured that the mistake will be rectified on priority.

On Wednesday, Janata Dal (Union) also announced that they will be raising this issue at the Rajya Sabha.