SCERT Kerala corrects handbook error: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose did not flee India "fearing the British"

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose (Image: Canva)

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) in Kerala has rectified an error in a teacher's handbook that inaccurately stated Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose "fled to Germany, fearing the British." The mistake was promptly flagged by educators and corrected by SCERT, ensuring historical accuracy in academic materials.

The controversial statement appeared in a handbook designed to assist Class 4 teachers following the Kerala state syllabus. The note briefly described Netaji's role in India's freedom struggle, mentioning his resignation from the Congress presidency and the formation of the Forward Bloc. However, it incorrectly claimed that Bose "fled to Germany, fearing the British" before establishing the Indian National Army (INA) to fight colonial rule.

Teachers who received the handbook immediately noticed the factual inaccuracy and reported it to SCERT. An official confirmed, "Teachers flagged the mistake as soon as they received the handbook. Following the feedback, SCERT recalled and corrected the content, issuing a revised version of the book."

Upon identifying the error, SCERT took swift action by removing the phrase "fearing the British" from the handbook. The council has also initiated an internal inquiry to determine how the mistake bypassed the review process in an official academic resource.

SCERT officials assured teachers and parents that stricter quality control measures will be implemented to prevent such errors in future publications. The handbook, which serves as a guide for classroom instruction, is expected to maintain factual precision to ensure students receive accurate historical knowledge.

Netaji's Legacy and Historical Facts

Subhas Chandra Bose, one of India's most admired freedom fighters, played a pivotal role in the independence movement. After resigning from the Congress, he sought international support to liberate India from British rule. His formation of the INA (Azad Hind Fauj) marked a significant chapter in India's struggle for freedom.

The erroneous claim that he fled India out of fear misrepresents his courageous defiance against colonial rule. Historical records confirm that Bose's departure from India was a strategic move to gathe global support for India's independence, not an act of fear.