Apoorvanand was born in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, grew up in Siwan and received his undergraduate education from Bihar University. He earned his Masters and Ph.D. from Patna University.^[2] He currently teaches Hindi at University of Delhi.

Prof. Apoorvanand started his teaching career at T.P.S. College, Patna, a constituent unit of Magadh University. In 1999, he was invited to join Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya, a Central University set up by the Government of India, and was instrumental in developing the University's vision plan and first academic programs. In 2004, he joined the Hindi Department at the University of Delhi where he was instrumental in redesigning the department's academic program.

He had authored or edited the following books:

• Sundar Ka Swapna (New Delhi: Vani Prakashan, 2001)^[3]
• Sahitya Ka Ekant (New Delhi: Vani Prakashan, 2008)^[4]
• The Idea of a University (Chennai: Context, 2018)^[5]
• Education at the Crossroads (New Delhi: Niyogi Books, 2018)

His critical essays have appeared in all major Hindi journals. Apart from his academic and literary writings, he also contributes columns in Indian Newspapers and magazines on the issues of education, culture, communalism, violence and human rights both in Hindi and also in English.^[6] He is a regular columnist at The Indian Express and The Wire. ^{[7] [8] [9]} He also frequently writes on other platforms such as Scroll, Satya Hindi, Al Jazeera, The Kochi Post. ^{[10] [11] [12] [13]} He at times also appears on Indian television as a panelist on issues concerning Higher Education, language and communal-ism.

Views edit

NCERT history textbook revision edit

In his literary and cultural criticism articles featured on Al Jazeera, he expressed his disapproval of the alterations made in NCERT textbooks. He argued that the history of Islamic rule in India was being marginalized, despite its significant presence in school textbooks since Indian independence. Specifically, he highlighted the revised syllabus in CBSE schools, stating that the "legacy" of Islamic rulers in India was being erased from history textbooks. Apoorvanand claims that this revision, under the guise of "reducing the learning load on students", was actually a form of "cultural genocide". He emphasized that this revision was leading to the exclusion of important historical events, such as the 2002 Gujarat riots, the assassination of Gandhi by Nathuram Godse, instances of untouchability, and the caste system. He believed that this omission would hinder children's understanding of national history by concealing crucial truths and presenting India as a nation devoid of discrimination and violence.^[14]

However, it is to be noted that the official reason for changing the syllabus was stated as rationalization of curriculum.^[14][15] On the contrary to Apoorvanand's views, a report by a think tank presented to the Parliamentary Committee on Education has shed light on the disproportionate focus given to Mughal rulers in NCERT textbooks when teaching Indian history to school children. The report revealed that with Emperor Akbar receiving 97 mentions, Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji only gets eight mentions. While other Mughal rulers like Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb, and Jahangir had 30 references each, in stark contrast, Rajput kings Rana Sanga and Maharana Pratap were almost “ignored” in the syllabus for school children.^[16] Furthermore, the research report highlighted the biased emphasis on Muslim chroniclers like Ibn Battuta and social reform movements, neglecting the contributions of prominent figures like Kautilya (Chanakya), Bhaskaracharya, Aryabhatta, as well as social reformers like Swami Dayanand Saraswati and Swami Vivekananda. The study criticized NCERT textbooks for their focus on the Mughals and Delhi Sultanate in medieval history of India, while neglecting the rich history of other regional rulers and significant events. Additionally, it pointed out that in the chapters about modern India, Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru are given prominence, while leaders like Sardar Patel, Bhagat Singh, Surya Sen, and Khudiram Bose are rarely mentioned.^[16]

Role in 2020 Delhi riots edit

On 12 September 2020, he along with Sitaram Yechuri, Yogendra Yadav and others was named in the supplementary chargesheet by Delhi Police for his alleged role in 2020 Delhi riots.^[17]

• "Eminent persons request President to consider Yakub Memon's mercy plea". The Hindu. 26 July 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
• "Hashimpura Massacre : Why did they make us wait for 28 years? - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis". Dnaindia.com. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
• "MOOC providers versus sceptics at 'Going Global' - University World News". Universityworldnews.com. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
• N, Vijetha S. (7 March 2014). "A need to break the 'dead end'". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
• "Call to Preserve Secular Character of Education : Islamic Voice". Islamicvoice.com. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
• Baildon, Mark; Loh, Kah Seng; Lim, Ivy Maria; İnanç, Gül; Jaffar, Junaidah (22 August 2013). Controversial History Education in Asian Contexts. Routledge. ISBN 9781135014216 – via Google Books.
• "Apoorvanand Jha profile on WAYN.COM". Wayn.com. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
• Handbook of Universities. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. 28 September 2017. ISBN 9788126906086 – via Google Books.
• "Education and Secularism Prof Apoorvanand Jha Hindi". World News.
• "La question religieuse au centre des élections régionales indiennes". Le Monde. 11 October 2015.
• "50 OPEN MINDS: PUBLIC SQUARE - OPEN Magazine". OPEN Magazine. 7 May 2015.
• "Statement of concern regarding PM's takeover of the Teacher's Day". Altgaze.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
• "Riot, manufactured in Gorakhpur". Tehelka. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2007.
• "POLICY REVIEW TV". test.policyreview.tv.