Rajasthan Minister Declares Akbar Unworthy of Praise

Rajasthan's Education Minister, Madan Dilawar, announced a ban on teaching Mughal emperor Akbar as a 'great' figure in schools, asserting that any books that praise him will be burned. He criticized Akbar, alleging he plundered the nation and called his glorification an insult to the Rajput warrior Maharana Pratap, whom he described as a protector of Mewar. Dilawar vowed to review school textbooks and stated that any references to Akbar as 'great' would result in the destruction of those books. He has previously referred to Akbar in derogatory terms and emphasized the need to correct historical narratives that undermine figures like Maharana Pratap and Shivaji. The minister's remarks reflect ongoing debates in India regarding historical interpretation and representation in education. His statements were made during an event in Udaipur, highlighting his commitment to reshaping educational content to align with regional pride.