NEW DELHI, Apr 28: Members of the Rajya Sabha today objected to a book prescribed by the Delhi University describing noted freedom fighter Bhagat Singh as a terrorist and called on the Government to take steps for the removal of the book from the DU syllabus. Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, K C Tyagi of the Janata Dal (United) said in a Delhi University book titled
‘India’s Freedom Struggle’, Bhagat Singh had been described as a terrorist. He also alleged that in the documents of the Home Ministry, Bhagat Singh was still described as terrorist. Mr Tyagi demanded immediate removal of Bhagat Singh’s name from the ‘black list’ of the Home Minister and also called for a removal of reference to the freedom fighter as a terrorist in the DU book. His demand was endorsed by a majority of the Members of the House.
Speaking on the issue, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said it must be found out as to how did this happen. “Portions of the book (describing Bhagat Singh as a terrorist) should be removed,’’ Prof Kurien said. Responding to the concerns by the Members, Minister of State for Parliamenatry Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, “Bhagat Singh is the idol for all of us.
He made a monumental contribution to the freedom struggle.’’ Condemning the description of Bhagat Singh as a terrorism, Mr Naqvi said he would talk to the concerned minister and call for taking the necessary steps.
Authored by noted historian Bipin Chandra and Mridula Mukherjee, the book mentions Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Surya Sen and others as “revolutionary terrorists” in Chapter 20. (UNI)
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