Paika Rebellion Erased from NCERT! BJD Accuses BJP of Vote-Bank Politics

In a fiery press conference at Sankha Bhawan, BJD Spokesperson Dr. Lenin Mohanty labelled the omission a “betrayal” of Odisha’s people, accusing the BJP of using Odia identity as a mere election ploy. The Paika Rebellion, often hailed as India’s first organised resistance against British colonial rule, has long been a source of pride for Odisha. Despite its historical significance, the rebellion, previously featured in NCERT textbooks, is conspicuously absent from the newly released edition.

Mohanty highlighted that while the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny is included, the earlier Paika Rebellion has been overlooked, calling into question the Centre’s commitment to Odisha’s heritage. He dismissed NCERT’s claim that the rebellion will appear in a forthcoming second volume as an “afterthought” to quell public outrage. “Until 2024, NCERT textbooks had only one volume. This sudden talk of a second volume is unacceptable,” he said, accusing the BJP of making hollow promises during elections. The party had heavily campaigned on “Odia Asmita” (Odia pride), assuring voters that the Paika Rebellion would be recognised in the national curriculum.

The BJD further criticised the Union Education Minister for his silence on the issue. “Is he afraid of losing his ministerial post?” Mohanty asked, demanding clarity on whether Pradhan was aware of the exclusion in advance. He accused the minister of neglecting Odisha’s interests and questioned whether the BJP’s slogans were merely a “political gimmick” to secure votes.

The omission has sparked widespread criticism across Odisha, with many seeing it as a deliberate sidelining of the state’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle. The BJD has called for immediate action to reinstate the Paika Rebellion in the NCERT curriculum, emphasising its role as a cornerstone of India’s fight for independence.