Mittal insisted that the need to correct history has been pending since Independence.
Human resource development ministry is apparently using Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) to bring forward the government's perspective on nationalism. Calling it an appropriate time to correct historical facts, historian Satish Chandra Mittal said at ICHR Foundation Day Lecture that Indian nationalism is a Vedic concept. He slammed the Western historians and Marxist scholars for distorting Indian history.
Mittal insisted that the need to correct history has been pending since Independence. "After independence, it became the imperative for historians to have a rational and unprejudiced view of historical writings in the Indian context in order that things could be seen in their true perspective. This can be possible if historical writings are based on facts and their interpretations, devoid of bias and prejudice," he said.
ICHR has already approved projects dealing with Indological research. Professor Mittal, who was also one of the signatories, with right wing educational activist Dinanath Batra, for getting Wendy Doniger's book, The Hindu: An Alternative History banned in India in 2014, slammed the Marxist historians for their changing stances on Indian history. "The Marx historians criticised Mahatma Gandhi's idea of Swadeshi, non-co-operation and civil disobedience movement, but later on praised his philosophy," added Mittal.
Blaming the Left historians for unrest in the academic world, and the ongoing national versus anti-national debate, Mittal added that the concept of nation, nationalism and national consciousness is an age-old Indian concept prevalent from the days of Ramayana and Mahabharata and that the Marxist thinkers have led the creation of many myths, wrong notions and distortions of facts.
It was also the first general body meeting chaired by Professor Y Sudershan Rao after he put in his resignation in the month of November last year. His resignation is yet to be accepted by the ministry.
Sources informed that some members present in the meeting raised questions on Rao's locus standi in chairing the meeting. "An informal clarification was sought by some members, but Rao presided over the meeting," said a member present.
The council also gave an in principal approval to revive the traditional Gurukul mode of learning. While the contours of the scheme are yet to be finalised, the scholarship will allow post-doctoral scholars to research under eminent historians. The scheme which will apply to areas including ancient Indian science and technology and ancient Indian art and architecture. "Eminent scholars who have an ocean of knowledge, but with age catching up are not able to carry on their independent studies and share their work, will be able to assist post- doctoral scholars in their areas of specialisation. The idea is that the scholar works in close coordination with the guru," explained a member. The guidelines for the scholarship are yet to be finalised.
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