Tripura Yuktibad Bikash Mancha Demands Removal of ‘Unscfientific Navagraha Yantra’ from Class 7 Mathematics Textbook

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, May 7, 2026

Tripura Yuktibad Bikash Mancha on Wednesday submitted a mass deputation to the Director of State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) demanding the immediate withdrawal of the image and explanation of the Navagraha Yantra from the cover and inner pages of the Class 7 mathematics textbook published by SCERT.

Along with the deputation, the organization also submitted documents containing mass signatures collected from scientifically minded citizens across the state supporting the demand for removal of the controversial content from the textbook.

According to the organization, the textbook, under the pretext of explaining the history of the three-number magic square, incorporated an image of the Navagraha or nine planets, which it alleged has no relation to the mathematical concept of magic squares and contradicts modern scientific understanding of the solar system.

Representatives of the organization claimed that the image portrays two non-existent planets, Rahu and Ketu, while also depicting the Sun and the Moon as planets, thereby promoting what they described as an outdated earth-centric model of the universe.

During the meeting, the Director of SCERT reportedly acknowledged the validity of the arguments raised by the organization and admitted that the inclusion of the content was a mistake. The Director also assured the delegation that corrective measures would be taken. However, the organization maintained that the image on the cover page as well as the related explanations inside the textbook must be completely removed.

The organization stated that it had earlier conducted public awareness campaigns on the issue and had consistently opposed what it termed the promotion of superstition through educational materials.

Tripura Yuktibad Bikash Mancha further expressed concern that students of Class 7, who are at a foundational stage of learning mathematics and science, could be influenced away from scientific reasoning if such misconceptions are introduced in textbooks.

The organization also referred to earlier controversies surrounding the removal of subjects such as evolution theory, the periodic table, and electromagnetic theory from educational curricula, stating that it had actively protested against those decisions as well.

Calling for a scientifically grounded education system, the organization appealed to teachers, guardians, and conscious citizens of the state to oppose any attempt to introduce superstition into school education and to demand the implementation of a genuinely scientific curriculum in Tripura’s educational institutions.

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