Consider whether the Aryan-Dravidian theory should be taught to students in the curriculum

Madras High Court’s Directive to NCERT and SCERT

Chennai – The Madras High Court has directed NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) and SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training) to consider whether the Aryan-Dravidian theory should be taught to students in the curriculum. This directive was issued in response to a public interest petition filed by Mahalingam Balaji, who questioned the validity of teaching this theory.

The court also instructed these educational institutions to make a decision on this matter within 12 weeks, treating Balaji’s petition as representative.

The petitioner had complained that educational experts, by promoting the idea that “Aryans and Dravidians are two distinct races,” were creating divisions among people. He argued that the “Aryan-Dravidian theory” is false and could have a negative impact on the impressionable minds of students, causing significant harm.

Justice K.R. Sriram and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, presiding over the bench, observed that the court lacks expertise in history or anthropology. Without verifying the validity of the Aryan-Dravidian theory, the court cannot provide relief to the petitioner in this case. The court concluded the public interest petition, stating that “the decision should be made by experts in the field, not the court,” and directed educational institutions accordingly.