This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.

Don't Call Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad Terrorists, HRD Ministry Tells Delhi University

Don't Call Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad Terrorists, HRD Ministry Tells Delhi University
Members of Democratic Youth Federation of India and Students Federation of India hold a photograph of Bhagat Singh as they participate in a torch rally to pay tribute to Indian freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru who were hanged to death by the British on March 23, 1931, in Hyderabad, India, Monday, March 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Members of Democratic Youth Federation of India and Students Federation of India hold a photograph of Bhagat Singh as they participate in a torch rally to pay tribute to Indian freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru who were hanged to death by the British on March 23, 1931, in Hyderabad, India, Monday, March 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A)

The Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) has asked the Delhi University to make corrections in a text book that described freedom fighters such as Bhagat Singh and Chandra Shekhar Azad as "terrorists."

The ministry has said in a letter to DU, that the word "terrorist" today has different meanings and using the word for freedom fighters "could hurt national sentiments".

The step was taken after a book titled 'India's Struggle for Independence', authored by noted historians Bipin Chadra and Mridula Mukherjee, mentioned Singh, Azad, Surya Sen and other freedom fighters as "revolutionary terrorists" in Chapter 20.

Reacting to the controversy, Abhey Singh Sandhu, Singh's nephew said, "The Britishers, who hanged Bhagat Singh, described him as 'true revolutionary' in their judgement, even they didn't use words like terror or terrorism. Using such words for revolutionaries in an attempt to stir controversy is very unfortunate."

According to PTI, Singh's family had written a letter to HRD Minister Smriti Irani seeking her intervention in the matter and also met DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Tyagi on Wednesday who assured them of looking into the matter.

Tyagi further said, "The book is taught as a reference book in our history department but is not a text book or published or authored by DU professor.

Contact HuffPost India

Also see on HuffPost:

NRI Iced Tea

12 Summer Cocktails With An Indian Twist From Mixologists Across India

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.