Naveen Expresses Concerns over Exclusion of Odisha’s Paika Rebellion from NCERT Textbooks, Calls It a ‘Huge Dishonour’

Bhubaneswar: BJD President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has expressed deep concern over the exclusion of Odisha’s historic Paika Rebellion or Paika Bidroha from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks.

Calling the move “a huge dishonour” to Odisha’s legacy, Naveen said the omission undermines the bravery of the Paikas, who valiantly fought against British rule in 1817.

Taking to his ‘X’, handle, the BJD President said that he is deeply concerned to know that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has dropped Odisha’s Paika Rebellion or Paika Bidroha from its text books”.

The Paika rebellion was a watershed moment in Odisha’s history as our brave Paikas fought with extraordinary courage against oppressive British way back in 1817, he said.

Naveen further stated that he had urged the Govt of India many times to declare it as first war of Independence. The Paikas came together to fight against the tyranny of foreign, colonial rule with unparalleled bravery. The omission of the epic rebellion from NCERT text books, which took place 40 years before the sepoy mutiny is a huge dishonour to our brave Paikas, 200 years after the rebellion- which became torchbearer for people’s movement against British rule, Naveen said.

LoP Naveen also urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan to ensure that justice is done to Paika Bidroha and Odisha.