The education department in Chhattisgarh has taken strict disciplinary action against two educators following a major controversy over a question paper for Class 4 students. The headmistress of a government primary school has been suspended, while a contractual assistant teacher is facing dismissal. The action comes after a multiple-choice question in an English exam paper listed the name 'Ram' as a possible answer for a dog's name, triggering widespread protests across the state.
The Incident and the Error
The controversy erupted from a half-yearly examination paper for government schools in the Raipur division. The paper was set by Shikha Soni, the headmistress of a government primary school located in Nakti village within the Tilda block. The paper was later moderated by Namrata Verma, an assistant teacher working on a contract basis.
The problematic question asked students: 'What is the name of Mona's dog?' It provided four options for the young students to choose from: 'Bala', 'Sheru', 'Ram', and 'No one'. The inclusion of 'Ram' as a potential name for a canine protagonist led to immediate outrage from several Hindu organisations, who viewed it as deeply disrespectful.
Both educators involved have clarified that the incident was a grave but unintentional error. Soni explained that the mistake occurred because the last letter of the intended name 'Ramu' was inadvertently dropped, resulting in the contentious option. Verma stated that she failed to spot the incorrect option during the moderation process. Both women maintained they had no intention of hurting any religious sentiments or community.
Protests and Swift Administrative Action
The question paper quickly became a flashpoint, sparking protests across Chhattisgarh. Prominent organisations including the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal led demonstrations against what they perceived as an insult. The pressure from these groups prompted the state's school education department to intervene swiftly.
On Saturday, just four days after the paper first caused unrest, the department announced its decisive verdict. The headmistress, Shikha Soni, was suspended from her duties. For contractual assistant teacher Namrata Verma, the department initiated proceedings for her dismissal. This rapid response underscored the sensitivity of the issue and the department's aim to contain the situation.
Broader Implications and Conclusions
This incident highlights the extreme caution required in educational material preparation, especially in a culturally and religiously diverse country like India. A simple typographical error, described by the paper-setter as a 'typo', escalated into a significant law and order situation, demonstrating how quickly such mistakes can spiral.
The severe punishment meted out to the teachers also raises questions about institutional accountability and the support systems for educators. While the department acted to address public anger, the case underscores the need for more robust checking mechanisms for exam papers to prevent such oversights. Ultimately, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the intersection between education, religion, and administrative accountability in India's public sphere.
