History written during British rule, after Independence overlooked several major aspects: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said several important aspects of the country's history were overlooked by historians who wrote about it during the British rule and after Independence, and it seemed that the indigenous people of India did not exist at all.

"Some people came from outside, killed their own relatives, brothers for the sake of throne... is not our history. This was said by Gurudev himself. He had said in this history, it is not mentioned what the people of the country were doing. Didn't they have any existence?" he said.

The country's history, written after Independence, has ignored various facets and it is not what is read or written for examinations, Modi said.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was scheduled to be present at the programme, but she did not go there. City Mayor and senior minister Firhad Hakim attended it.

"It is unfortunate, that during the British rule and even after independence, the history of our country that was written, overlooked several important chapters," Modi said.

Quoting Rabindranath Tagore, he said, "India's history is not what we remember and write for examinations. We have seen son killing father and siblings fighting against each other. This is not India's history."
Modi, quoting Tagore again, said whenever a difficult time like a storm comes, one needs to stand up and face it. "But those who see it from outside, will see the storm only."
Amid the controversy over the amended Citizenship Act, the prime minister said, "In this age of violence, it is needed to awaken national conscience. It is only from this that our culture, history and philosophy have emerged."
He said Swami Vivekananda had stated the 21st century will belong to India. "Myself and the government will support this and also try to learn from the people of Bengal."