UK kids to read about Jallianwalah Bagh

New Delhi: Even as a section of British academics have raised a storm over what they call 'anti-British' portrayal of Indian history in the nation's school curriculum, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) of UK has cleared the Jallianwalah Bagh massacre of 1919 to be taught in British schools as a history unit looking at the legacy of the Raj.

The decision comes in the midst of a controversy over what some educationists call an "objectionable tone of new chapters on Indian history taught in the school curriculum in Britain."

They have raised serious objections to the references to the Kamasutra and Indian genders "as part of a misguided attempt to encourage children to understand history from different viewpoints."

British academics have also objected what they call 'errors of fact in portraying Churchill in a bad light'. The curriculum states that "Churchill viewed Gandhi as a 'half-naked fakir' which contrasts the popular acclaim Gandhi received," they say.

"Children need to learn about British history, but they also need to improve their knowledge of the events that shaped the world we live in," they say, adding that the kids should be "taught the positive consequences of the imperial rule."

The Jallianwalah Bagh issue is now sure to add further fuel to the fire. For Jallianwalah Bagh was the most notorious incident of British rule in India as hundreds of Indians were massacred in cold blood by British general in this 1919 bloodbath.

Brig-Gen Reginald Dyer had ordered troops to fire on unarmed civilians holding a meeting in the park, making himself the author of one of the worst massacres of world history.

The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority said the course is meant for 11 to 14-year-olds and "it is intended to give a valuable insight into the shared history of Britain and India. According to London's Times, the course would help pupils evaluate different interpretations of the massacre.

The QCA, however, cautions that teachers 'should be aware that this unit explores issues and events that may evoke strong feelings in some pupils. Care should be taken to present the unit in a manner that is sensitive, objective and balanced'.