NaMo in school textbooks? PM Modi says no, thank you

Just as it appeared that Narendra Modi-worship was all set to go to the next level with the states of Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan all getting ready to include a chapter on the BJP leader’s life story into their school curriculum, the new prime minister has gently chided the efforts. [caption id=“attachment_1549713” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of PM Narendra Modi. AFP[/caption] Modi took to microblogging site Twitter to say he “firmly believes” that the life story of living individuals should not be included in school textbooks.He went on to say that there are lots of other great leaders that Indian children should read about instead.

The prime minister’s comments could dissuade overzealous BJP leaders, it is expected. Among those attempting to introduce the tale of the boy from Vadnagar, Gujarat, who went on to become prime minister with a historic mandate is the school education department of the BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh. “School textbooks already have chapters on biographies of freedom fighters and even Prime Ministers who have done well. So a biography of Mr Modi in text books will inspire students, as he has had a humble beginning as a tea vendor and now he has become the Prime Minister,” school education minister Paras Jain (from Bhopal) told NDTV in a report. The report also noted how the Congress wasn’t pleased with this move: “If at all they want, the ruling party in Madhya Pradesh can include former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s biography in the school text books. It will send a good message. As far as Mr Modi is concerned, it is just a start for him. He has a long way to go and whether he will be able to complete the journey that he has begun successfully is doubtful. The BJP government, by doing this, is hoping to score some brownie points with the new Prime Minister.” Congress chief spokesperson, according to a report in the Indian Express, also said: “In Modi’s case, the proposed chapter should include the 2002 Gujarat riots.” Whether or not the state governments will go ahead with the proposal is a serious question. With Modi himself shutting down the idea, students may not have to read about India’s new prime minister after all.