Row over caste references in books and papers in the state of UP

The institution of caste is a bane of the Indian society causing it periodical setbacks and time and again it raises its ugly head in any form causing troubles and creating controversies in any one of the states in India.The most recent upheaval over the issue of caste was from the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Casteist and communal references in textbooks and question papers in educational institutions in Uttar Pradesh continue to evoke strong protests.

A question for Hindi II in B.A in MeeratUniversity evoked strong protests from students on Monday evening while BJP and ABVP activists also raised heckles on the campus.

The first question in the question paper said, ‘Your Gods and Goddesses are irrelevant and ugly. You are a fool because you have faith in them and that is why you cannot progress.If you are a Christian you will have faith in one God and his son and you will be rid of all ghosts and evil beings. Hindus-Muslims are stupid and if you read their scriptures, your eyes will open.’

The students were required to explain the above paragraph with reference to context.

Responding to the protests, Prof. S.P.Ojha, vice-chancellor of MeerutUniversity has set up an inquiry into the matter.

BJP threatens to launch a major agitation, if action against the concerned teacher was not taken within two days.BJP MLA from Meerut Mr.Laxikanth Bajpai said, ‘It has become fashionable to abuse Hindu religious sentiments at every available opportunity, but we will not tolerate this any longer.’

Meanwhile in Kanpur unsavoury references to the Kurmi and Kahar caste groups in a text book of class 8 had led to a major controversy.

The explanatory note published at the end of each page of the text book Prerna under the Child Glory series, published by Vikas Books ltd, Delhi,in which a story by Munshi Premchand  titled ‘Bade Ghar ki Beti’ carries references to Kurmi and  Kahar caste groups, is offensive. The foot note at the end of the page explains that Kurmi-Kahar means lowly and depraved.

The BJP MP Vinay Katiyar said that the explanatory notes were highly objectionable  and deserves to be condemned. The children after reading these references may develop a disdain for these castes.Hence the book should be withdrawn atonce.

Meanwhile a government official has said that they would probe the matter and ensure action against the guilty persons and to see  that the objectionable matter  that hurts the sentiments of any social group was not allowed in text books.