Beyond Aurangzeb's Grave

Amidst all the backlash, rebuke, and name-calling directed at West Bengal’s yesteryear's academic system—particularly at the school level during the Communist era—my generation grew up in an environment that, despite its flaws, fostered a culture of critical thinking and intellectual curiosity. Today, after spending more than two decades in different parts of the country, mostly in Northern India, I realize with clarity that the education we received in Bengal, though often criticized for lacking a so-called "competitive spirit," instilled in us values that make us proud. Unlike the education system prevalent in North and Central India (the Hindi belt), our system encouraged independent thought, questioning, and a broad engagement with literature and history beyond prescribed textbooks.  

Encouragement to Think, Question, and Explore  

One of the most defining aspects of our education was the freedom to think and ask questions( no, that time it was not labelled as antinational, yet). Teachers, parents, and the entire academic ecosystem encouraged us to challenge ideas, debate, and seek knowledge beyond the syllabus. Unlike today, our system celebrated intellectual curiosity. We were not confined to rote learning or blind acceptance of textbook narratives. Instead, we were pushed to read extensively—fiction, novels, biographies, and alternative historical accounts—to form a well-rounded understanding of any subject or period. 

The Problem with Textbook-Centric Education in the Hindi Belt

In stark contrast, the education system in much of North and Central India revolves around textbooks that are often one-sided, poorly researched, and filled with imaginative reconstructions of history and fake hero-worshipping! Many students grow up believing these texts as absolute truth, never exposed to diverse perspectives. 

In Bengal, we were taught that literature is a mirror of society, and to truly understand history or social dynamics, one must engage with multiple viewpoints. Whether it was Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Rabindranath Tagore, Shakespeare, or Milton—each was as important as historians and history book writers like E.P. Thompson, Christopher Bayly, David Brading, Bipan Chandra, or R.C. Majumdar. This multidisciplinary approach nurtured our minds, allowing us to think critically rather than accept dogma.  

 

Resistance to Brainwashing and Political Gimmicks

The difference between the two systems becomes painfully evident today. Our generation, raised on a diet of diverse literature and analytical thinking, is not easily swayed by political gimmicks, false heroism, or pseudo-nationalist propaganda. We were trained to scrutinize narratives, distinguish facts from myths, and resist emotional manipulation. In contrast, an education system that prioritizes blind adherence to textbooks creates a populace vulnerable to propaganda, where history is distorted to fit political agendas, and dissent is stifled under the guise of patriotism.  

The Need for Reform: Building a Questioning, Defiant Generation

What India needs today is a fundamental restructuring of its education system—one that prioritizes critical thinking, scientific temper, and humanistic values over indoctrination. We must encourage students to ask questions, challenge authority when necessary, and embrace logic over blind faith. The goal should be to create a generation that dares to rebel against falsehoods, values reason over rhetoric, and upholds humanity above divisive ideologies and fake nationalism. 

The Communist-era education system in West Bengal was far from perfect, but its emphasis on independent thought and intellectual exploration gave us tools to navigate a world increasingly dominated by misinformation and propaganda. 

If we wish to break the shackles of ignorance, religion, superstitions and blind nationalism, we must revive and reinvent that spirit of fearless inquiry in our classrooms today. Only then can we hope to build a society that values truth, justice, and rational discourse over manufactured myths and political manipulation.