Actress Sahiba Bali criticised the changes made by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to the Class 7 Social Science textbook. The updated syllabus for the 2025–26 academic session excludes chapters on medieval Indian rulers such as the Mughals, Tughlaqs, Lodhis, and Khaljis, replacing them with content on ancient Indian dynasties, pilgrimage sites, and cultural traditions.
Sharing her reaction on Instagram, Sahiba wrote, “Include more regional history – surely, integrate religious studies – why not, focus on indigenous Indian dynasty – YES…. but HOW CAN YOU REMOVE HISTORY? The entire influence of the rulers (or invaders call it whatever) & its impact on the Indian subcontinent. This is BIZARRE, esp for North frontier understanding, GOD, Persian, Turkish, Afghan influence on north India is CRUCIAL to identify Hindustan. I can’t believe this.”
She also posted a video elaborating on her views, stating, “If you are deleting a very large chunk of history, then with that logic, then we shouldn’t learn about holocaust, world war, genocide, French revolution … but all of this is in the curriculum.”
Later, in another another, she mentioned, “Anyway sannu ki… Boards we gave a decade ago heheheh.”
Sahiba’s remarks come amid growing debate around the textbook overhaul. According to NCERT, the revised Social Science curriculum will now be taught through a single book titled Exploring Society – India and Beyond (Part 1), replacing the earlier separate books for History, Geography, and Civics.
According to media reports, the new book covers five thematic areas: India and the World, Tapestry of the Past, Our Cultural Heritage and Knowledge Traditions, Governance and Democracy, and Economic Life Around Us.
The historical narrative in Part 1 ends with the Gupta dynasty (3rd to 6th centuries AD) and focuses extensively on ancient Indian kingdoms such as the Mauryas, Shungas, Satavahanas, Cholas, Cheras, and Pandyas. There is currently no content covering the Delhi Sultanate or Mughal rule. It remains unclear whether these topics will be addressed in the forthcoming Part 2 of the textbook.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Sahiba Bali was recently seen in Sudhir Mishra’s Tanaav Season 2, and also featured in Imtiaz Ali’s Chamkila, starring Diljit Dosanjh and Parineeti Chopra. She has also been a part of projects like Bard of Blood and Laila Majnu.
