After criticism, NCERT to restore original 'Dancing Girl' image in school textbook

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has swiftly moved to reverse a controversial alteration, announcing it will restore the original, bare-torso image of the iconic 'Dancing Girl' of Mohenjo-daro in its Class 9 Arts textbook, 'Madhurima'. The decision, confirmed Monday, follows a torrent of criticism from historians, archaeologists, and educators who decried the previously published 'clothed' depiction as an act of censorship and a distortion of a crucial piece of India's cultural heritage. The controversy erupted after the newly introduced textbook presented the 4,500-year-old bronze figurine with shading that obscured its anatomical details, a stark contrast to its historical representation and even its depiction in NCERT own Class 6 Social Science textbook. Michel Danino, who led the Class 6 textbook committee, revealed he was previously informed the original image was deemed 'not age-appropriate', a rationale he dismissed as an 'obsolete Victorian view' and an 'act of censorship'. This incident adds to a broader pattern of NCERT textbook revision under the National Education Policy and National Curriculum Framework, which have previously drawn fire for contentious changes to historical narratives, including sections on Mughal history and the Ayodhya dispute. With NCERT Director Dinesh Saklani confirming the immediate reinstatement of the original image in digital versions and future print runs, the quick reversal aims to quell the uproar and uphold academic integrity. However, the episode reignites persistent debates surrounding the politicization of education and the appropriate representation of historical artifacts in India's school curricula. Observers will now be watching how closely future revisions adhere to academic consensus versus perceived cultural sensitivities, a critical balancing act for the nation's educational future.