The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association here on Saturday strongly condemned the dehumanization of the Islamic figure Ayatollah Imam Khomeini in a textbook published by NCERT. In a statement, National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami, vehemently condemned the dissemination of misinformation in school books, particularly concerning the revered religious figure, Ayatollah Imam Khomeini.
He asserted that several Indian publication houses, including, ‘Acuber Books International’, have included defamatory and inaccurate content about Imam Khomeini, a highly respected leader among Shia Muslims worldwide. Imam Khomeini was a renowned scholar and a leader of millions of Shia Muslims, globally respected for his moral impact and leadership. Imam Khomeini is universally recognized as a religious leader, and it is unacceptable to see his name tarnished in this manner. However, recent publications have unjustly included his name in lists of “most evil men in history,” spreading Islamophobic propaganda and misinformation. We stand in solidarity with all those who are hurt by these actions and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the values of truth, respect, and inclusivity.
We strongly denounce the inclusion of Imam Khomeini’s name among such derogatory lists by publications like Q-Connect Books, Acuber Books International, and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). These acts not only disregard historical accuracy but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes, he said.
The recent inclusion of Imam Khomeini’s name in a 6th standard GK book by NCERT is deeply concerning. This misinformation is not only disrespectful to the sentiments of millions of Shia Muslims but also harmful to the communal harmony of our nation, he emphasized.
The Association urged the authorities, including the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to take immediate and strict action against the publishers and editors responsible for this misinformation and ensure that such acts of misinformation are prevented in the future.
Khuehami demands a thorough investigation into how such content was approved for publication and urged for its immediate removal from all educational materials. He also appealed to all Islamic scholars and leaders to join us in condemning these defamatory acts and standing up for the truth. We believe in promoting unity and understanding among communities, and such misrepresentations only serve to divide us. He said that we urge the NCERT and concerned publication house to issue a public apology and to rectify this insensitive action immediately
