NCERT to Remove 'Great' from Akbar, Tipu Sultan's Names: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Says 'Good Move'

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has welcomed the reported revisions made by the National Council of Educational Research and Training in school history textbooks, which remove the epithet "great" from the names of Mughal emperor Akbar and Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan.

Sarma Applauds Reported Changes

Speaking to ANI during his visit to Bongaigaon, Sarma said he was not completely sure whether the revisions had been implemented but praised the move if it had indeed taken place. He added a sharp remark, saying, "Tipu Ipu ko maro ekdum. Jahan bhejna hai, udhar hi bhej do. Samundar mein phek do." He further told ANI, "I have not seen whether they have done this. If they have done this, then many thanks to the NCERT from my side."

RSS Leader Mentions Updates in Textbooks

The comments followed a statement by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh leader Sunil Ambekar, who said on Friday that several changes had been made to the history curriculum. According to him, the texts no longer refer to "Akbar the Great" or "Tipu Sultan the Great." Ambekar said, "I could see that many good changes have been brought in the history books, and more could be done in the future. But now, they do not have 'Akbar the Great' nor do they have 'Tipu Sultan the Great'."

Call for Awareness of Historical Actions

Ambekar noted that the revisions were not aimed at removing individuals from the narrative. Instead, he said the intention was to ensure that students remain aware of historical actions and their consequences. He added, "Many changes have been brought, although nobody has been removed from these books as the new generation should know their cruel deeds and should also know because of whom we were victimised and from whom we should be free."

Political Reactions Continue

The reported changes have sparked political discussion, with leaders expressing varied views on how historical figures should be presented in school textbooks. As NCERT has not yet issued an official detailed clarification on these particular revisions, the debate is expected to continue as more information becomes available.