The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has issued a detailed clarification in response to concerns about the exclusion of the Paika Rebellion and other regional resistance movements from its newly released Class 8 Social Science textbook, titled “Exploring Society: India and Beyond.”
In a statement on social media platform X, NCERT explained that the current textbook is the first volume of a two-part series. The second volume, which is nearing completion, is set for release in September–October 2025. This upcoming volume will feature comprehensive chapters on significant regional resistance movements, including the Paika Rebellion/Khurda Uprising of Odisha and the Kuka Movement of the Sikhs in Punjab.
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞
Clarification regarding Grade 8 Social Science textbook “𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲: 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝”
This is in reference to a few news items in which it has been mentioned that the recently released Grade 8 Social Science…
— NCERT (@ncert) July 21, 2025
“This volume will cover topics related to regional resistance movements and armed uprisings such as the Paika Rebellion/Khurda Uprising of Odisha and the Kuka Movement of the Sikhs in Punjab, among others,” the council stated in its official communication.
The clarification was prompted by various media reports and public statements expressing concern over the omission of historically significant local uprisings from the curriculum. NCERT emphasized that the absence of these topics in the current volume is temporary and assured that they would receive proper attention in the subsequent installment.
Naveen Patnaik Responds Despite Clarification
Despite NCERT’s statement, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik criticized the omission in a social media post, calling it a “huge dishonour” to the memory of the Paikas, Odisha’s warrior class who fiercely resisted British colonial rule in 1817, decades before the more widely recognized Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.
https://twiiter.com/Naveen_Odisha/status/1947540022338679210
“The Paika Rebellion was a pivotal moment in Odisha’s history. Our brave Paikas displayed unparalleled courage in resisting British oppression. The exclusion of this significant uprising from NCERT textbooks, 200 years after the event, is deeply regrettable,” Patnaik wrote.
He urged Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi and Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to intervene and ensure the rebellion’s inclusion in the national curriculum.
State Government Pushes Back
In a swift response, several leaders from the ruling government in Odisha criticised Patnaik’s statement, accusing him of spreading misinformation and politicising a matter that has already been addressed by NCERT.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida strongly objected to Patnaik’s remarks, stating in a social media post that the Paika Rebellion had not been removed from the curriculum and that its inclusion in the upcoming textbook had already been officially communicated.
ମାନ୍ୟବର ବିରୋଧୀ ଦଳ ନେତା ଶ୍ରୀ @Naveen_Odisha ମହୋଦୟ,
ଆପଣ ଜାଣିରଖିବା ଉଚିତ ଯେ ଏନ୍ସିଇଆରଟି ପାଠ୍ୟପୁସ୍ତକରୁ 'ପାଇକ ବିଦ୍ରୋହ' ପ୍ରସଙ୍ଗ ବାଦ୍ ଦିଆଯାଇନାହିଁ। ସାମାଜିକ ବିଜ୍ଞାନର ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟ ଭଲ୍ୟୁମ୍ରେ ଏହି ବିଷୟ ସ୍ଥାନ ପାଇଥିବା ନେଇ ଏନ୍ସିଇଆରଟି ପକ୍ଷରୁ ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟୀକରଣ ଦିଆସରିଛି, ଯାହାକି ଚଳିତ ବର୍ଷ… pic.twitter.com/s5TCpl8J6O— Pravati Parida (@PravatiPOdisha) July 22, 2025
“The NCERT has made it clear that the current book is just the first volume. The Paika Rebellion will be included in the second volume, which is due in September–October 2025. Spreading falsehoods on social media despite this clarification is both laughable and unfortunate,” Parida wrote.
She further accused the opposition of neglecting Odisha’s historical legacy during its time in power. “While the Union Government has consistently promoted the legacy of the Paika Rebellion at the national level, no such initiative was taken when the opposition held office,” she added.
Parida labeled the effort to circulate “false narratives” as “cheap politics,” reaffirming the commitment of both the state and central governments to preserving and promoting Odisha’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle.
Health Minister Calls the Controversy ‘Politically Motivated’
Adding to the criticism, Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling condemned Patnaik’s remarks, describing them as misleading and politically motivated.
“Dear Shri @Naveen_Odisha, I would like to inform you that the Paika Rebellion has not been omitted from NCERT textbooks. NCERT clearly stated yesterday that it will be covered in the second volume of the Social Science book,” Dr. Mahaling wrote in a post.
ପ୍ରିୟ ଶ୍ରୀ @Naveen_Odisha ମହାଶୟ, ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଅବଗତି ନିମନ୍ତେ ଜଣାଇଦେବାକୁ ଚାହୁଁଛି ଯେ @ncert ପାଠ୍ୟପୁସ୍ତକରୁ 'ପାଇକ ବିଦ୍ରୋହ'କୁ ବାଦ ଦିଆଯାଇନାହିଁ। ଏହା ସାମାଜିକ ବିଜ୍ଞାନ ପୁସ୍ତକର ଦ୍ୱିତୀୟ ଭାଗରେ ଶୀଘ୍ର ପ୍ରକାଶ ପାଇବ ବୋଲି ଗତକାଲି NCERT ସ୍ପଷ୍ଟୀକରଣ ଦିଆଯାଇଛି। ମାତ୍ର ନିଜର ରାଜନୈତିକ ଆଶା ପୂରଣ ପାଇଁ ଏଭଳି ମିଥ୍ୟା… https://t.co/deELHqX7hk pic.twitter.com/50UhGeLvCd
— Dr. Mukesh Mahaling (@MahalingMukesh) July 22, 2025
He continued, “It is extremely unfortunate and laughable that, for mere political gains, such misleading tweets are being used to confuse the people of Odisha.”
Dr Mahaling emphasised that public figures must act responsibly, especially regarding sensitive aspects of history and education. His remarks highlighted the state government’s belief that the controversy is being unnecessarily amplified for political gain.
The Paika Rebellion of 1817 holds a unique place in Odisha’s history and is often regarded by scholars and local historians as the first organised armed resistance against British rule in India.
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