The question paper additionally suggested that the Indian government should engage in discussions with Pakistan regarding the matter of Jammu and Kashmir.
Another Uttar Pradesh school, this time in Bahraich town, faces controversy over a Class 9 Hindi paper containing a question on “Indian Muslim Terrorism.” Local Muslims protested and demanded action against the school. The school apologized, claiming the use of ‘Muslim’ was inadvertent. They also fired the Hindi teacher who prepared the question paper and canceled the exam.
The question was part of a Hindi comprehension exercise on terrorism, mentioning Indian Muslim terrorism, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Al Qaeda, Taliban, and various Islamic political organizations. It also suggested India should prepare for a war with Pakistan while engaging in bilateral negotiations on the Jammu and Kashmir issue.
In a separate incident, the Supreme Court criticized the Uttar Pradesh government and police for their handling of a case in Muzaffarnagar, where a school teacher incited students to slap a young Muslim boy, as seen in a viral video. The court highlighted delays in filing an FIR and the omission of allegations of communal hatred from it. They called for the case to be investigated by a senior IPS police officer.
The state’s education system has long faced challenges, and recent reports have raised concerns about Hindutva indoctrination in rural private schools, promoting divisive teachings emphasizing Hindu superiority.
Source: The Wire
Also read: Terrorism politics
