NCERT Restores Authentic 'Dancing Girl' Image in Class 9 Textbook

Amid backlash over an altered depiction of the 'Dancing Girl' figurine in a Class 9 textbook, the NCERT has decided to replace it with the original image. The revised depiction faced criticism as censorship, prompting immediate corrective action. The updated content will appear in both digital and forthcoming print editions.

In response to widespread criticism, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has announced it will replace an altered depiction of the iconic 'Dancing Girl' figurine with its original image in a Class 9 arts education textbook.

NCERT Director Dinesh Saklani stated that the issue was addressed promptly. "As soon as the issue was brought to our attention, we asked the concerned department to review the matter. Experts were consulted, resulting in the decision to swap the image with its authentic version," Saklani told ANI. The change is currently being implemented in the digital version, with revised print editions to follow.

The decision came after criticism emerged over the altered representation of the well-known Indus Valley Civilisation artefact. Academicians condemned the depiction, seeing it as a form of censorship. Historically nude apart from her bangles and necklace, the figurine appeared with a darker hue and partially covered torso in the new textbook. The textbook is part of NCERT's NEP-driven arts education series for Classes 1 to 10, designed to integrate the arts into mainstream education.