Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has expressed deep concern and disappointment over the exclusion of the historic Paika Rebellion by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) from its Class VIII textbook.
The Paika Rebellion, which took place in 1817, was a significant moment in Odisha’s history where the Paikas bravely fought against British colonial rule. However, this significant event in Odisha’s history, which showcased the bravery and resilience of the Paikas against British colonial rule, will no longer be part of the curriculum.
Taking to his X handle, Patnaik urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan to ensure that justice is done to the Paika Bidroha and Odisha’s history.
He emphasised that the omission of this epic rebellion, which occurred 40 years before the Sepoy Mutiny, is a huge dishonour to the brave Paikas.
“Deeply concerned to know that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (@ncert) has dropped #Odisha’s Paika Rebellion or Paika Bidroha from its text books. The Paika rebellion was a watershed moment in Odisha’s history as our brave Paikas fought with extraordinary courage against oppressive British way back in 1817. I had urged the Govt of India many times to declare it as first war of Independence. The Paikas came together to fight against the tyranny of foreign, colonial rule with unparalleled bravery. The omission of the epic rebellion from NCERT text books, which took place 40 years before the sepoy mutiny is a huge dishonour to our brave Paikas, 200 years after the rebellion- which became torchbearer for people’s movement against British rule. Urge Chief Minister Shri @MohanMOdisha and Union Minister of Education Shri @dpradhanbjp to ensure that justice is done to Paika Bidroha and Odisha,” read the tweet of the former CM Naveen Patnaik.
The Paika Rebellion became a torchbearer for people’s movements against British rule, and its exclusion from NCERT textbooks has sparked outrage in Odisha. Patnaik had previously requested the Government of India to declare the Paika Rebellion as the first war of independence.
