NCERT tweaks reference to 'merger of Manipur'
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 05 2024:
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has recently made revisions to its textbooks, including a notable tweak in the reference to Manipur's merger with India.
Previously, the textbooks stated, "The Government of India succeeded in pressurising the Maharaja into signing a Merger Agreement in September 1949, without consulting the popularly elected Legislative Assembly of Manipur.
This caused a lot of anger and resentment in Manipur, the repercussions of which are still being felt" .
In the latest revision, Manipur's merger with India has been described differently: "The Government of India succeeded in persuading the Maharaja into signing a Merger Agreement in September 1949" .
NCERT changed the word 'pressurising' with 'persuading' and dropped the part "without consulting the popularly elected Legislative Assembly of Manipur" .
NCERT officials have clarified that these tweaks are part of routine updates and not specifically linked to the development of new books under the New Curriculum Framework (NCF) .
The changes have been incorporated into the Political Science textbooks of Classes 11 and 12, among others.
Mention may be made that on September 21,1949, the then King of Manipur, who was under house arrest in his residence in Shillong, was coerced into signing a Merger Agreement with the Union of India, to be effective from October 15 of the same year.
Following the lapse of paramountcy of the British Crown on August 14, 1947, Manipur experienced a brief period of "independence," characterised by freedom from the control of the Governor of Assam.
This phase marked a return to political autonomy reminiscent of the pre-1891 era.
However, on August 11, 1947, the King signed the Instrument of Accession, conceding defence, external affairs, and communication matters to the Union of India.
Despite enacting the Manipur State Constitution Act 1947," which granted the state its own constitution, Manipur's status remained relatively unknown outside the kingdom due to its isolation.
By September 1949, while most princely states had decided their fate post-independence, Manipur's status remained uncertain.
Concerns over the tribal population's restlessness and the border state's stability prompted urgent discussions between Assam Governor Sri Prakasa, his advisor Nari Rustomji, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, head of the state's department.
Although Manipur was considered less significant compared to larger princely states like Hyderabad and Kashmir in the integration process, the escalating situation in Manipur compelled Patel's attention.
During a meeting in Bombay, Patel s response to the situation was succinct yet telling, indicating the need for military intervention.
He responded, "Do we not have a brigadier in Shillong?" .
This led to subsequent coercive measures to merge Manipur with India, a pivotal moment that has shaped Manipur's modern history and fuelled insurgency movements and popular grievances.