View source for 2016 17 California textbook controversy over South Asian topics

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[[File:State of California, Department of Education sign.jpg|thumb|322x322px|Sign in front of the California Department of Education in Sacramento, CA.]]
In 2016 and 2017, there was a significant debate on how topics related to South Asia were represented in [[California]] middle school textbooks<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2016/04/12/hindu-group-protests-possible-california-textbook-changes/|title=Hindu group protests possible California textbook changes|last=Shapiro|first=T. Rees|date=April 12, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bpr.berkeley.edu/2016/05/17/india-south-asia-and-hindutva-whats-going-on-with-california-textbooks/|title=India, South Asia, and Hindutva: What's Going On With California Textbooks?|last=Sinha|first=Bhaavya|date=May 17, 2016|website=Berkeley Political Review|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-16}}</ref>—a follow-up to [[California textbook controversy over Hindu history|a related set of debates that took place from 2005 to 2009]]. These new debates were fueled by varying religious groups who felt the 2009 changes were incorrect, or pushed political agendas.<ref name=":9">{{Cite journal |last=Kelly |first=Leah |date=September 2016 |title=California's Hindu Textbook Controversy: Redefining American Hindu Identify |url=https://dante.univ-tlse2.fr/access/files/original/9ac58146428b175a8e6864da747d4cbc8239741e.pdf |journal=Department of English World Studies |via=University of Toulouse-Jean Jaurès}}</ref> The [[California Department of Education]] runs a public process to update the history and social sciences curriculum frameworks, which help guide the textbooks that publishers develop for students.<ref name=":4" /> Starting in 2016, groups submitted textbook revisions dealing with a variety of issues related to histories of [[South Asia]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.caravanmagazine.in/vantage/californias-textbooks-war-reveals-mounting-influence-hindutva-united-states|title=The Latest Skirmish in California's Textbooks War Reveals the Mounting Influence of Hindutva in the United States|date=2018-02-07|work=The Caravan|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US}}</ref> [[India]],<ref name=":0" /> [[Hinduism]],<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Quartz">{{cite web|url=http://qz.com/666103/hindu-groups-in-california-oppose-the-proposed-revisions-to-school-textbooks/|title=Hindu groups in California oppose the proposed revisions to school textbooks|last=Punit|first=Itika Sharma|date=April 25, 2016|website=Quartz|language=en-US|access-date=2016-04-26}}</ref> [[Sikhism]],<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Quartz" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/california-passes-textbook-standards-including-comfort-women-sikhs-n611501|title=California Passes Textbook Standards Including 'Comfort Women,' Sikhs|work=NBC News|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Dalit]]s,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> [[Muslim]]s,<ref name=":1" /> [[Ravidassia religion|Ravidassias]],<ref name=":1" /> the [[Indus Valley civilization]],<ref name=":0" /> and the [[Women in India|rights of women]],<ref name=":0" /> as taught in California 6th and 7th grade history and social science textbooks.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.salon.com/2016/05/16/theres_a_new_battle_raging_in_california_over_history_textbooks_heres_what_you_need_to_know/|title=There's a new battle raging in California over history textbooks. Here's what you need to know|date=2016-05-16|work=Salon|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US}}</ref> The Department of Education made final decisions on the topics in 2017, retaining content on the caste system, and referring to all of historical South Asia as India, among many other decisions.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://littleindia.com/california-upholds-hindu-groups-recommendations-textbooks/|title=California Upholds Hindu Groups' Recommendations for Textbooks|date=2017-11-14|website=Little India|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-16|archive-date=2017-12-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218195756/http://littleindia.com/california-upholds-hindu-groups-recommendations-textbooks|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Groups involved ==

=== The Hindu American Foundation ===
Since 2005, the [[Hindu American Foundation]] (HAF) has been involved in advocacy for changes within California textbooks. Over 2016-2017, they sent letters, joined petitions, and published articles, working towards a claimed goal of making educational content within California inclusive and accurate. In 2017, the HAF participated in the California Department of Education's textbook adoption process.<ref>{{Cite web |title=California Curriculum Reform |url=https://www.hinduamerican.org/california-textbooks-overview/ |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Hindu American Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=December 2022}} Many academics and American Hindus who were critical of the HAF's involvement accused the organization of pushing ''[[Hindutva]]'' ideologies within their proposed changes.<ref name=":9" />

=== Other advocacy groups ===
Another group was organized as "South Asian Histories for All", describing itself as an "inter-caste, multi-faith group of activists," which "cited inaccuracies regarding caste and other issues in the textbook material, and called for a delay on the books’ approval so that they could be submitted for further editing."<ref name=":0" />

=== Academics ===
Academics also played an important role. There were two primary sets of academics providing comment on the issues:

* According to ''The Caravan'', "Unified under the banner of the 'South Asian Faculty Group,' many professors signed a letter that detailed the reasons why many of the edits proposed by the Hindu groups were ahistorical and ideologically motivated. A similar letter, with over 90 signatories, was submitted this year, endorsing the specific edits requested by SAHFA."<ref name=":0" />
* Opposing many of these edits, according to ''The Caravan'', "The Hindu camp, too, assembled a team of academics…who submitted their own letter. It was written primarily by [[Jeffery Long]], a professor of religion and Asian studies at [[Elizabethtown College]]…With almost 40 signatories, Long’s letter criticised some of the textbooks for their 'underlying Orientalist narrative' and their tendency to put forth 'inaccurate and unfavorable comparisons of Hinduism with other religions'."<ref name=":0" />

== 2017 History-Social Science edits and corrections ==
[[File:Seal of the California Department of Education.jpg|thumb|California Department of Education seal.]]
On September 28, 2017, the California Department of Education published a list of edits and corrections. Some, but not all, changes include:
{| class="wikitable"
|+2017 Changes And Corrections Grades 6-8
!Original Text
!Corrections
!Reference/Int. Ref. Number
|-
|"Sikhism blends teachings from Islam and Hinduism."
|"Sikhism preached a path that was both independent from Hinduism and Islam."
|<ref name=":10">''2017 History–Social Science Adoption List of Edits and Corrections and Social Content Citations,'' California Department of Education, 28 Sep. 2017, https://www.cde.ca.gov/be/cc/cd/documents/hmhedits6-8.pdf</ref>2
|-
|“Chandra Gupta I founds the Gupta Empire,”
|“Chandragupta Maurya.”
|<ref name=":10" />3
|-
|“Sikhism in India,”
|“Sikhism in South Asia.”
|<ref name=":10" />12
|-
|“While Guru Nanak was raised Hindu, Sikhs do not consider their religion a branch of Hinduism, though some have argued otherwise,”
|“While Guru Nanak was raised Hindu, Sikhs do not consider their religion a branch of Hinduism.”
|<ref name=":10" />14
|-
|“However, some aspects of the caste system are still observed in two areas of Sikh society—marriage and some gurdwaras, or places of worship. Sikhs are expected to marry someone of their own caste. Some castes have also created gurdwaras for their caste only,”
|“However, some aspects of the caste system are voluntarily observed in two areas of some Sikh societies—marriage and some gurdwaras, or places of worship. While not required, some Sikhs may choose to marry someone of their own caste. Some castes have also created gurdwaras.”
|<ref name=":10" />18
|-
|“These articles include a turban, a sword, a metal bracelet, and a wooden comb,”
|“These articles include uncut hair, a religious sword, a metal bracelet, and a wooden comb."
|<ref name=":10" />19
|}

== Dalits and the caste system ==

=== The debate ===
Advocates disagreed on whether and how the history of the caste system should be included in history books, and how Dalit communities should be named.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://scroll.in/article/808394/california-to-decide-today-whether-hindu-groups-can-dictate-what-dalits-call-themselves-in-textbooks|title=Last hearing today: Should the word 'Dalit' be used in California textbooks?|last=Chari|first=Mridula|work=Scroll.in|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US}}</ref>

* The Uberoi Foundation recommended removing the word "Dalit", and the Hindu American Foundation proposed removing the word "Untouchable".<ref name=":2" /> The Hindu American Foundation asked for the erasure of references to [[Caste system in India|caste]] and [[untouchability]], asking that the phrase “communities outside the jati system, the 'Untouchables,'" be changed to "socially ostracized and economically disadvantaged communities."<ref name=":0" /> The Hindu Education Foundation opposed a suggested edit stating that Dalits were "forced to do work considered impure", writing “the suggested edit has political overtones".<ref name=":0" />
* South Asian Histories for All and Dalit American groups argued for inclusion of the word "Dalit", and for retaining the history of the caste system in history textbooks.<ref name=":2" />

=== The result ===
The proposal to rename "Untouchables" as "socially ostracized and economically disadvantaged communities" was rejected by the Instructional Quality Commission, and the use of the word Dalit was incorporated into the curriculum framework.<ref name=":0" /> Commission members also rejected a suggestion that would describe [[Caste system in India#Jatis|jati]] groups as "self-governing."<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/20/us/california-to-revise-how-india-is-portrayed-in-textbooks.html|title=California to Revise How India Is Portrayed in Textbooks|last=Medina|first=Jennifer|date=May 19, 2016|work=The New York Times}}</ref>

However, according to ''The Caravan'', "the final textbook matches HAF’s suggested edits more closely than it does the framework text. For example, while the framework had described the Dalit community by name, the approved [[National Geographic Society|National Geographic]] textbook fails to do so. It notes, 'At the bottom were slaves, laborers, and artisans…Many centuries later, another group developed that was considered even lower'."<ref name=":0" />

== Guru Nanak and caste ==

=== The debate ===

* Three Hindu groups, the Hindu American Foundation, the Hindu Education Foundation, and the Uberoi Foundation, all submitted edits that would remove references in the curriculum framework to [[Guru Nanak]], the founder of [[Sikhism]], being "a social reformer who challenged the authority of the [[Brahmin]]s and the caste order."<ref name=":0" />
* The [[Sikh Coalition]] argued the need to "highlight Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s belief in universal equality and the rejection of the caste system as a core tenet of Sikhism."<ref name=":8" />

=== The result ===
After debate, the Sikh Coalition praised the final textbook curriculum for retaining the language.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|url=https://www.sikhcoalition.org/blog/2016/ca-sikh-history-approved-sets-precedent-for-nation-2/|title=CA Sikh History Approved, Sets Precedent For Nation|date=2016-07-15|work=Sikh Coalition|access-date=2018-10-04|language=en-US}}</ref> However, [[National Geographic]], one of the publishers who developed a textbook based on the curriculum, dropped references to Nanak’s opposition to the caste system.<ref name=":0" /> Sikh groups pointed to a Hindu American Foundation employee credited in the textbook as a "reviewer of religious content".<ref name=":0" /> According to ''The Caravan'', the Hindu American Foundation "affirmed that the foundation had worked directly with all the publishers except for Studies Weekly and McGraw Hill."<ref name=":0" />

== Dalip Singh Saund and Sikhism ==

=== The debate ===

* In a suggested edit, the Hindu American Foundation asked for the removal of the word "[[Sikh]]" in descriptions of [[Dalip Singh Saund]], describing him only as "an immigrant of Indian origin."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.colorlines.com/articles/latest-10-year-battle-over-how-california-teaches-south-asian-history|title=The Latest in a 10-Year Battle Over How California Teaches South Asian History|last=Solomon|first=Akiba|date=2016-04-01|work=ColorLines|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en}}</ref>
* This edit was opposed by Sikh American groups.<ref name=":6" />

=== The result ===
The Instructional Quality Commission agreed to retain language naming Saund's Sikh identity.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/blogs/california-textbooks-the-next-stage-of-the-battle/|title=California textbooks: The next stage of the battle|date=2016-07-10|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US}}</ref>

== India and South Asia ==

=== The debate ===

* According to ''Scroll'', the South Asia Faculty Group submitted edits asking for the word "India" to be replaced with "South Asia" in 24 of 93 instances where there were references to historical "India" in the curriculum framework.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":2" /> They argued that "certain parts referred to as ancient India are now in [[Afghanistan]], [[Pakistan]], or [[Bangladesh]]," according to a summary of their letter by ''[[Quartz (publication)|Quartz]]''.<ref name="Quartz" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-36376110|title=Viewpoint: Why Hindu groups are against California textbook change|date=2016-05-27|work=BBC News|access-date=2018-12-16|language=en-GB}}</ref>
* Groups like the Hindu American Foundation strongly opposed the use of the word "South Asia,"<ref name="Quartz" /> and launched a "Don't Erase India" social media campaign.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/south-asian-community-debates-south-asia-india-ahead-textbook-updates-n570671|title=South Asian Community Debates 'South Asia,' 'India' Ahead of Textbook Updates|work=NBC News|access-date=2018-08-11|language=en-US}}</ref> They were supported by a group of academics, "Scholars for People,"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indiafacts.org/scholars-people-sends-final-letter-california-board-education/|title=California Textbook Controversy: 'Scholars for People' sends final letter to CBE {{!}} IndiaFacts|date=2016-05-12|work=IndiaFacts|access-date=2018-08-11|language=en-US}}</ref> who created an [[online petition]] that garnered over 25,000 signatures.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.southasianhistoriesforall.org/sahfa-wins-on-caste-sikhism-may-2016/|title=California Curriculum Body Acknowledges Reality of Caste System|work=South Asian Histories For All|access-date=2018-10-02|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== The result ===
The California Department of Education's Instructional Quality Commission eventually decided to use the word "India" in every instance within the curriculum framework.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edsource.org/2017/after-hours-of-testimony-state-board-rejects-two-history-textbooks-approves-10-others/590118|title=After hours of testimony, California state board rejects two history textbooks, approves 10 others|website=EdSource|language=en|access-date=2018-08-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiawest.com/news/global_indian/india-will-not-be-replaced-with-south-asia-in-california/article_a57ce7d0-1ec4-11e6-9a7b-7f9c0a5d7fda.html|title='India' Will Not be Replaced with 'South Asia' in California Texbooks: Commission|last1=Press Trust of India|date=May 20, 2016|website=India-West|access-date=December 16, 2018|archive-date=May 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160525140308/http://www.indiawest.com/news/global_indian/india-will-not-be-replaced-with-south-asia-in-california/article_a57ce7d0-1ec4-11e6-9a7b-7f9c0a5d7fda.html|url-status=dead |author1-link=Press Trust of India }}</ref>

== Indus Valley Civilization ==

=== The debate ===

* The Uberoi Foundation submitted edits changing every reference to the "[[Indus Valley Civilization]]" to the "Indus–Sarasvati civilization" in reference to the "[[Sarasvati River]]" from Hindu mythology.<ref name=":0" />
* This was opposed by the South Asia Faculty Group and South Asian Histories for All.

=== The result ===
The Instructional Quality Commission rejected the edits, retaining the phrase "Indus Valley Civilization."<ref name=":0" />

Subsequently, the textbook review panel flagged publisher [[Pearson Education|Pearson]]'s references to the "Sarasvati River," responding with comments like "This is a subject of controversy, not settled fact…Remove mention of ‘Sarasvati’ and refer to it as ‘Indus Valley civilization'". In response, a Pearson employee defended the usage, stating that the changes were requested by the Hindu American Foundation, the Hindu Education Foundation, and Hindupedia.<ref name=":0" /> The Instructional Quality Commission upheld the original request, and Pearson revised its textbook.<ref name=":0" />

== Representation of Hindus ==
A coalition led by the Hindu American Foundation and other community groups that included nearly 40 academics, about 74 interfaith organizations and elected officials like Congresswoman [[Tulsi Gabbard]] and California State Senator [[Steve Glazer]] urged the California Board of Education to review the draft to ensure fair representation of Hinduism, Jainism and Indian culture.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edsource.org/2017/hindus-urge-california-state-board-to-reject-textbooks-due-to-negative-images/589996|title=Hindus urge California state board to reject textbooks due to negative images|website=EdSource|language=en|access-date=2018-08-11}}</ref> Dozens of Indian-American students spoke out against the South Asia Faculty Group's suggested edits, accusing them of [[Hinduphobia]] and robbing them of selfhood.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/06/us/debate-erupts-over-californias-india-history-curriculum.html|title=Debate Erupts in California Over Curriculum on India's History|last=Medina|first=Jennifer|date=May 4, 2016|work=New York Times|access-date=2018-08-11|language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[California textbook controversy over Hindu history]] (2005 to 2009)
* [[Hindutva pseudohistory]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2016-17 California textbook controversy over South Asian topics}}
[[Category:Textbook controversies]]
[[Category:South Asian–American culture]]
[[Category:Indian-American history]]
[[Category:Dalit history]]
[[Category:Public education in California]]
[[Category:2016 controversies in the United States]]
[[Category:2016 in California]]
[[Category:Hinduism-related controversies]]
[[Category:Islam-related controversies]]
[[Category:Historiography of India]]
[[Category:Education controversies in the United States]]
[[Category:21st-century controversies in the United States]]