Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has submitted a notice to the Rajya Sabha seeking privilege proceedings against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for allegedly misleading the House regarding the omission of the Preamble to the Constitution from certain NCERT textbooks.
In a letter dated August 8, 2024, addressed to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, Ramesh stated that Pradhan’s assertion during a parliamentary session on August 7, 2024, was factually incorrect. The controversy arose when Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised concerns about the omission of the Preamble from NCERT textbooks for Class 3 and Class 6 students.
Responding to Kharge’s query, Pradhan had claimed that the new Class 6 textbooks still contained the Preamble. However, Ramesh argued that this statement was misleading, citing specific textbooks where the Preamble had been removed in the latest editions. He provided examples of textbooks titled “Our Wondrous World” for Class 3 and “Poorvi” for Class 6, both published in June 2024, where the Preamble was omitted.
Ramesh emphasized that misleading the House constitutes a breach of privilege and urged the Chairman to initiate proceedings against the Education Minister. He also highlighted the importance of including the Preamble in textbooks to promote awareness of the Constitution among students.
The issue has sparked a broader debate, with the Congress party accusing the government of attempting to impose a communal ideology through changes in educational content. The Education Minister, however, has refuted these claims, stating that the Preamble, along with Fundamental Duties, Rights, and the National Anthem, are included in the new textbooks.
Ramesh’s notice has been submitted under Rule 187 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Rajya Sabha, requesting formal action against the Education Minister. The matter is now pending further review by the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
