17:
90:(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. Many academics and American Hindus who were critical of the HAF's involvement accused the organization of pushing
465:'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. The Instructional Quality Commission upheld the original request, and Pearson revised its textbook.
146:
263:, asking that the phrase “communities outside the jati system, the 'Untouchables,'" be changed to "socially ostracized and economically disadvantaged communities." 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."
121:, "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."
104:
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
275:
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. Commission members also rejected a suggestion that would
393:, 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. They argued that "certain parts referred to as ancient India are now in
73:, as taught in California 6th and 7th grade history and social science textbooks. 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.
414:
Groups like the Hindu
American Foundation strongly opposed the use of the word "South Asia," and launched a "Don't Erase India" social media campaign. They were supported by a group of academics, "Scholars for People," who created an online petition that garnered over 25,000
220:“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.”
337:, one of the publishers who developed a textbook based on the curriculum, dropped references to Nanak’s opposition to the caste system. Sikh groups pointed to a Hindu American Foundation employee credited in the textbook as a "reviewer of religious content". According to
36:
runs a public process to update the history and social sciences curriculum frameworks, which help guide the textbooks that publishers develop for students. Starting in 2016, groups submitted textbook revisions dealing with a variety of issues related to histories of
217:“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,”
481:
urged the
California Board of Education to review the draft to ensure fair representation of Hinduism, Jainism and Indian culture. Dozens of Indian-American students spoke out against the South Asia Faculty Group's suggested edits, accusing them of
1119:
136:…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'."
254:
The Uberoi
Foundation recommended removing the word "Dalit," and the Hindu American Foundation proposed removing the word "Untouchable." The Hindu American Foundation asked for the erasure of references to
305:
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
287:, "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
473:
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
1127:
266:
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.
885:
424:
The
California Department of Education's Instructional Quality Commission eventually decided to use the word "India" in every instance within the curriculum framework.
291:
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'."
1234:
751:
798:
1229:
1018:
1091:
522:
727:
495:
250:
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.
29:
341:, the Hindu American Foundation "affirmed that the foundation had worked directly with all the publishers except for Studies Weekly and McGraw Hill."
663:
1204:
1149:
324:
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."
569:
153:
On September 28, 2017, the California Department of Education published a list of edits and corrections. Some, but not all, changes include:
938:
32:. These new debates were fueled by varying religious groups who felt the 2009 changes were incorrect, or pushed political agendas. The
780:
696:
544:
206:“While Guru Nanak was raised Hindu, Sikhs do not consider their religion a branch of Hinduism, though some have argued otherwise,”
1214:
1199:
597:
912:
1184:
965:
1219:
1042:
33:
806:
1224:
1189:
664:"The Latest Skirmish in California's Textbooks War Reveals the Mounting Influence of Hindutva in the United States"
113:
Academics also played an important role. There were two primary sets of academics providing comment on the issues:
128:, "The Hindu camp, too, assembled a team of academics…who submitted their own letter. It was written primarily by
1179:
1067:
333:
After debate, the Sikh Coalition praised the final textbook curriculum for retaining the language. However,
458:
The Instructional Quality Commission rejected the edits, retaining the phrase "Indus Valley civilization."
1209:
288:
24:
In 2016 and 2017, there was a significant debate on how topics related to South Asia were represented in
439:
87:
66:
1092:"After hours of testimony, California state board rejects two history textbooks, approves 10 others"
16:
277:
145:
862:
2017 History–Social Science Adoption List of Edits and Corrections and Social Content Citations,
752:"There's a new battle raging in California over history textbooks. Here's what you need to know"
209:“While Guru Nanak was raised Hindu, Sikhs do not consider their religion a branch of Hinduism.”
1194:
1043:"California Textbook Controversy: 'Scholars for People' sends final letter to CBE | IndiaFacts"
827:
375:
The Instructional Quality Commission agreed to retain language naming Saund's Sikh identity.
256:
231:“These articles include uncut hair, a religious sword, a metal bracelet, and a wooden comb."
133:
865:
1115:
407:
8:
334:
62:
355:
In a suggested edit, the Hindu American Foundation asked for the removal of the word "
990:
462:
360:
1120:"'India' Will Not be Replaced with 'South Asia' in California Texbooks: Commission"
449:
This was opposed by the South Asia Faculty Group and South Asian Histories for All.
443:
228:“These articles include a turban, a sword, a metal bracelet, and a wooden comb,”
939:"The Latest in a 10-Year Battle Over How California Teaches South Asian History"
1150:"Hindus urge California state board to reject textbooks due to negative images"
1019:"South Asian Community Debates 'South Asia,' 'India' Ahead of Textbook Updates"
321:
260:
70:
886:"Last hearing today: Should the word 'Dalit' be used in California textbooks?"
697:"Hindu groups in California oppose the proposed revisions to school textbooks"
1173:
598:"California's Hindu Textbook Controversy: Redefining American Hindu Identify"
570:"India, South Asia, and Hindutva: What's Going On With California Textbooks?"
474:
176:"Sikhism preached a path that was both independent from Hinduism and Islam."
478:
129:
20:
Sign in front of the California Department of Education in Sacramento, CA.
483:
394:
728:"California Passes Textbook Standards Including 'Comfort Women,' Sikhs"
438:
The Uberoi Foundation submitted edits changing every reference to the "
402:
306:
38:
25:
991:"Viewpoint: Why Hindu groups are against California textbook change"
140:
398:
92:
46:
1068:"California Curriculum Body Acknowledges Reality of Caste System"
314:
310:
50:
799:"California Upholds Hindu Groups' Recommendations for Textbooks"
545:"Debate Erupts in California Over Curriculum on India's History"
313:, being "a social reformer who challenged the authority of the
58:
442:" to the "Indus–Sarasvati civilization" in reference to the "
54:
42:
523:"Hindu group protests possible California textbook changes"
356:
781:"California to Revise How India Is Portrayed in Textbooks"
461:
Subsequently, the textbook review panel flagged publisher
30:
a related set of debates that took place from 2005 to 2009
866:
https://www.cde.ca.gov/be/cc/cd/documents/hmhedits6-8.pdf
363:, describing him only as "an immigrant of Indian origin."
913:"CA Sikh History Approved, Sets Precedent For Nation"
1114:
966:"California textbooks: The next stage of the battle"
173:"Sikhism blends teachings from Islam and Hinduism."
864:California Department of Education, 28 Sep. 2017,
496:California textbook controversy over Hindu history
141:2017 History-Social Science edits and corrections
1171:
344:
81:
1235:21st-century controversies in the United States
607:– via University of Toulouse-Jean Jaurès.
132:, a professor of religion and Asian studies at
366:This edit was opposed by Sikh American groups.
240:
405:," according to a summary of their letter by
1230:Education controversies in the United States
427:
468:
184:“Chandra Gupta I founds the Gupta Empire,”
124:Opposing many of these edits, according to
96:ideologies within their proposed changes.
690:
688:
686:
684:
157:2017 Changes And Corrections Grades 6-8
149:California Department of Education seal.
144:
99:
15:
1205:2016 controversies in the United States
936:
520:
378:
294:
28:middle school textbooks—a follow-up to
1172:
857:
855:
853:
851:
849:
847:
778:
695:Punit, Itika Sharma (April 25, 2016).
542:
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591:
589:
538:
536:
516:
514:
512:
844:
605:Department of English World Studies
521:Shapiro, T. Rees (April 12, 2016).
13:
1008:
955:
902:
870:
76:
34:California Department of Education
14:
1246:
883:
779:Medina, Jennifer (May 19, 2016).
769:
713:
611:
586:
533:
509:
543:Medina, Jennifer (May 4, 2016).
1142:
1108:
1084:
1060:
1035:
983:
930:
820:
791:
568:Sinha, Bhaavya (May 17, 2016).
453:
432:
419:
383:
370:
349:
328:
299:
1215:Hinduism-related controversies
1200:Public education in California
828:"California Curriculum Reform"
744:
596:Kelly, Leah (September 2016).
561:
486:and robbing them of selfhood.
1:
1072:South Asian Histories For All
937:Solomon, Akiba (2016-04-01).
502:
477:and California State Senator
345:Dalip Singh Saund and Sikhism
270:
245:
82:The Hindu American Foundation
1185:South Asian American culture
805:. 2017-11-14. Archived from
280:groups as "self-governing."
108:
7:
1220:Islam-related controversies
489:
241:Dalits and the caste system
168:Reference/Int. Ref. Number
10:
1251:
832:Hindu American Foundation
574:Berkeley Political Review
440:Indus Valley civilization
428:Indus Valley civilization
198:“Sikhism in South Asia.”
88:Hindu American Foundation
67:Indus Valley civilization
469:Representation of Hindus
1225:Historiography of India
1190:Indian-American history
446:" from Hindu mythology.
187:“Chandragupta Maurya.”
1180:Textbook controversies
283:However, according to
150:
21:
359:" in descriptions of
317:and the caste order."
148:
134:Elizabethtown College
100:Other advocacy groups
19:
1116:Press Trust of India
379:India and South Asia
295:Guru Nanak and caste
195:“Sikhism in India,”
527:The Washington Post
335:National Geographic
289:National Geographic
158:
1210:2016 in California
970:The Indian Express
785:The New York Times
156:
151:
105:further editing."
22:
361:Dalip Singh Saund
309:, the founder of
238:
237:
1242:
1164:
1163:
1161:
1160:
1146:
1140:
1139:
1137:
1135:
1126:. Archived from
1118:(May 20, 2016).
1112:
1106:
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1102:
1088:
1082:
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884:Chari, Mridula.
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86:Since 2005, the
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1130:on May 25, 2016
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444:Sarasvati River
435:
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331:
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143:
111:
102:
84:
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77:Groups involved
71:rights of women
12:
11:
5:
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917:Sikh Coalition
901:
869:
843:
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790:
768:
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712:
680:
610:
585:
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549:New York Times
532:
507:
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498:(2005 to 2009)
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261:untouchability
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162:Original Text
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1201:
1198:
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1195:Dalit history
1193:
1191:
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1181:
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1177:
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1155:
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1145:
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1024:
1020:
1014:
1012:
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918:
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878:
876:
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867:
863:
858:
856:
854:
852:
850:
848:
833:
829:
823:
809:on 2017-12-18
808:
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475:Tulsi Gabbard
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389:According to
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117:According to
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68:
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56:
52:
48:
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27:
18:
1157:. Retrieved
1153:
1144:
1134:December 16,
1132:. Retrieved
1128:the original
1123:
1110:
1099:. Retrieved
1095:
1086:
1075:. Retrieved
1071:
1062:
1051:. Retrieved
1049:. 2016-05-12
1046:
1037:
1026:. Retrieved
1022:
999:. Retrieved
997:. 2016-05-27
994:
985:
974:. Retrieved
972:. 2016-07-10
969:
946:. Retrieved
942:
932:
921:. Retrieved
919:. 2016-07-15
916:
893:. Retrieved
889:
861:
835:. Retrieved
831:
822:
811:. Retrieved
807:the original
803:Little India
802:
793:
784:
760:. Retrieved
758:. 2016-05-16
755:
746:
735:. Retrieved
731:
704:. Retrieved
700:
672:. Retrieved
670:. 2018-02-07
667:
604:
577:. Retrieved
573:
563:
552:. Retrieved
548:
526:
479:Steve Glazer
472:
460:
457:
423:
406:
390:
374:
338:
332:
284:
282:
274:
249:
165:Corrections
152:
130:Jeffery Long
125:
118:
112:
103:
91:
85:
23:
668:The Caravan
484:Hinduphobia
415:signatures.
395:Afghanistan
339:The Caravan
285:The Caravan
126:The Caravan
119:The Caravan
63:Ravidassias
1174:Categories
1159:2018-08-11
1124:India-West
1101:2018-08-11
1077:2018-10-02
1053:2018-08-11
1047:IndiaFacts
1028:2018-08-11
1001:2018-12-16
976:2018-10-02
948:2018-10-02
943:ColorLines
923:2018-10-04
895:2018-10-02
837:2022-12-05
813:2018-12-16
762:2018-10-02
737:2018-10-02
706:2016-04-26
674:2018-10-02
579:2018-12-16
554:2018-08-11
503:References
454:The result
433:The debate
420:The result
403:Bangladesh
384:The debate
371:The result
350:The debate
329:The result
307:Guru Nanak
300:The debate
271:The result
246:The debate
69:, and the
39:South Asia
26:California
890:Scroll.in
276:describe
109:Academics
1154:EdSource
1096:EdSource
1023:NBC News
995:BBC News
732:NBC News
490:See also
399:Pakistan
315:Brahmins
93:Hindutva
47:Hinduism
463:Pearson
311:Sikhism
59:Muslims
51:Sikhism
701:Quartz
408:Quartz
391:Scroll
65:, the
55:Dalits
756:Salon
601:(PDF)
401:, or
257:caste
43:India
1136:2018
357:Sikh
320:The
278:jati
259:and
234:19
223:18
212:14
201:12
1176::
1152:.
1122:.
1094:.
1070:.
1045:.
1021:.
1010:^
993:.
968:.
957:^
941:.
915:.
904:^
888:.
872:^
846:^
830:.
801:.
783:.
771:^
754:.
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