Faiz’s verses dropped from India’s Class 10 curriculum: media

Chapters dealing with 'democracy and diversity' as well as 'central Islamic lands' also axed

Two verses by celebrated Pakistani poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz have been dropped from India’s Class 10 curriculum following a recent tweak by the country’s Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The verses were previously a part of the  “Religion, Communalism and Politics — Communalism, Secular State” section, in the textbook titled “Democratic Politics II”.

According to Indian Express, “The portion of the curriculum document, which lists the Social Science course content for Class 10, states that the segment on religion, communalism and politics will continue to be part of the course content — ‘excluding image on page 46, 48, 49’.” 

The images being referenced are of two posters, both of which contain Faiz’s poetry, as well as a political cartoon. According to the news outlet, no reason for the exclusion has been given.

The posters illustrated with Faiz’s verses were issued by NGO ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy) and the Voluntary Health Association of India respectively. 

The political cartoon by Ajith Ninan, taken from Times of India, “shows an empty chair adorned with religious symbols”, with the caption reading, “This chair is for the CM-designate to prove his secular credentials…There will be plenty of rocking!”

The verses in question appear in translation, with one being, “We remain strangers even after so many meetings, blood stains remain even after so many rains,” and the other being, “Not enough to shed tears, to suffer anguish, not enough to nurse love in secret… Today, walk in the public square fettered in chains.” 

A chapter on “democracy and diversity” has also been removed which, according to Indian Express, introduces “students to the concept of social divisions and inequalities along the lines of race and caste across the world, including in India”. Chapters on “popular struggles and movements” as well as “challenges to democracy” have also been removed. 

In the Class 11 history coursebook, a chapter dealing with “Central Islamic Lands”, focused on the rise of Islamic empires in the Afro-Asian territories has also been axed.