A government school in Chhattisgarh's Mahasamund district found itself at the centre of a major controversy on Wednesday after a half-yearly examination paper for class 4 students included a potentially inflammatory multiple-choice question. The incident has sparked protests and led to an official inquiry.
The Controversial Question Paper
The issue emerged during the half-yearly English examination for the academic session 2025-26. A question in the paper asked students: "What is Mona's dog's name?" Among the four answer choices provided was the name 'Ram'. The inclusion of this name, which is sacred to millions of Hindus as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, immediately triggered outrage among parents and right-wing organisations.
Protests and Immediate Backlash
Members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal in Mahasamund district swiftly organised a protest. They submitted a formal memorandum to the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police, condemning the incident. The protesters described it as "not just negligence but a deliberate attempt to hurt religious faith".
In their memorandum, the groups stated that Lord Ram is a profound symbol of devotion and culture for crores of Hindus and using the name in such a context was unacceptable. Their demands were severe:
- Register a criminal case against all officials and staff involved in preparing and approving the paper.
- Immediate suspension and dismissal from service for those responsible.
- Threatened a district-wide agitation if strict action was not taken within a week.
Protesters also held a rally, marched to the office of the District Education Officer (DEO), and burned his effigy on the premises. A local parent, Vijay Mahato, filed a formal complaint at the Mahasamund police station regarding the objectionable question.
Official Response and Inquiry Ordered
Facing intense backlash, District Education Officer Vijay Lahare told the media that an inquiry has been ordered into the matter. He explained that the question paper administered to students was not the one officially approved by the department.
"We have sought an explanation from the printing vendor. We've asked for the original manuscript to ascertain if the question paper was altered or changed," Lahare said. He clarified that the controversial option was not among the questions originally sent to the printing press.
Lahare cited examination confidentiality protocols as the reason the discrepancy was not caught earlier. "The issue came to light only after the paper was opened at the exam centre," he stated. He assured the public that there was no intention to hurt religious sentiments and that the objectionable option was struck off and replaced as soon as it was noticed.
The DEO added that the department's course of action would be decided based on the printing vendor's response to their inquiry.
