RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Education Department has issued a show cause notice to the District Education Officer (DEO) of Mahasamund, Vijay Kumar Lahre, after a major controversy erupted over a question asked in the half-yearly examination of class 4.
The department has asked the DEO to submit his written reply within 24 hours over the controversial question asked in the examination, asserting that the same amounts to gross negligence and all responsibilities related to framing, printing and distribution of the question papers are of the Education Officer.
The notice issued by the department said, the question asked in the examination was objectionable, condemnable and hurts religious sentiments, noting that the same has tarnished the image of the administration and the department.
A major controversy erupted after the name of Bhagwan Ram appeared in one of the option of a multi-choice question asked in the half yearly examination of class 4 of government schools, on Wednesday, January 6.
One of the question asked in the examination read – ‘What is the name of Mona’s dog’ has multiple choice answers including ‘Ram’ and ‘Sheru’. This sparked a major controversy with parents and Hindu organisations protesting against the DEO, terming it an insult to the religious sentiments.
The Hindu workers took out a rally in the town protesting against the education department. They also burned effigy of Mahasamund Deo Lahre, and submitted a memorandum to the administration, demanding strict action against all those involved in preparing and approving the question paper. They further threatened to launch a district-wide agitation if strict action is not initiated into the matter within 7 days.
The district education department meanwhile, has ordered an enquiry into the matter. “The department has sought an explanation from the printing vendor and asked for submission of the printed manuscript to ascertain how the question paper was changed,” said Lahre.
He added that the question paper was not the one approved earlier and the matter come to light only when the paper was opened at the examination centre due to confidentiality of question papers. “As soon as the objectionable question came to notice, it was removed and a new option was provided,” said Lahre, while noting that there was no intention to hurt the religious sentiments.
