New Delhi: Union Ministry of Human Resource Development has written to the University of Delhi requesting it to avoid using the word "terrorist" while referring to freedom fighters as "the word today has a different meaning and it could hurt national sentiments".
Sources say the note was sent to the university after it came to light that a book which has been part of Delhi University's history curriculum refers to Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Surya Sen and other freedom fighters as a "revolutionary terrorist".
The book titled "India's Struggle for Independence", authored by noted historian Bipin Chadra and Mridula Mukherjee, mentions several freedom fighters as "revolutionary terrorists" in Chapter 20. The book also calls the Chittagong movement a 'terrorist act', while Sanders killing has been called an 'act of terrorism'.
Bhagat Singh's family had objected to the term prompting the ministry to ask Delhi University to reconsider it. The family members had written to the HRD Minister Smriti Irani seeking her intervention in this regard and demanded appropriate changes in the textbook.
The family members also met DU vice chancellor Yogesh Tyagi on Wednesday who assured them of looking into the matter.
"This is a very sad precedent that even after 68 years of Independence such words are used for the revolutionaries, who gave their lives for the freedom of the nation," Bhagat Singh's nephew Abhey Singh Sandhu 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," he added.
Maintaining that the book is taught in the history department as a "reference book" and not a "text book", Tyagi said they have taken note of the request.
"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," he said.
"Some members of his (Bhagat Singh's) family met me today. We have taken note of the request and the matter is being looked into," Tyagi added.
(With additional information from PTI)
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