Mamata government considering adding Singur movement to school syllabus

The Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government on Friday said it is considering to incorporate the peasant's movement in the state's Singur in school syllabus and sending a proposal to the Syallabus Committee for its observation and evaluation.

"(State) school education department received proposals from all the sections of the society requesting to incorporate historical win of peasants in Singur in the school syllabus. The department is sending the entire matter to school syllabus committee for its observations and evaluation," said Education Minister Partha Chatterjee.

Welcoming the proposal, State Syllabus Committee Chairman Aveek Majumder said: "We will discuss with educational experts, education minister and all concerned people about how to incorporate the it in the syllabus."

The land of 997.11 acres was acquired for setting up Tata's small car-Nano factory in 2006. The acquisition was vehemently protested by the peasants of Singur.

Demanding return of 400 acres to "unwilling farmers" (from whom land was allegedly taken against their will), the then opposition Trinamool Congress led by Mamata Banerjee spearheaded a violent and sustained peasants movement that ultimately forced the automobile giants to shift its plant to Sanand in Gujarat.

Subsequently, civil society organistions, state government and Tatas moved to Calcutta High Court for seeking justice. The matter moved to Supreme Court.

The apex court on Wednesday set aside the land acquisition by the previous Left Front government in West Bengal and ordered to return land to the owners within 12 weeks.

"In recent times, no mass movements except Singur have got recognition from the apex court. Student must learn it. Education Minister's proposal is welcome and it is a right decision," said Trinamool Congress Vice President Mukul Roy.

Opposition have termed the move as "a political decision".

--IANS

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