Chhattisgarh Headmistress Suspended Following 'Ram' Controversy in Exam Question

Raipur, Chhattisgarh – A headmistress of a government school in Chhattisgarh has been suspended, and a contractual assistant teacher is facing potential dismissal, after a Class IV English question paper sparked outrage over allegedly hurting religious sentiments. The controversial question appeared on a half-yearly examination administered in government schools across the Raipur division.

The question asked, "What is the name of Mona's dog?" and provided four options: Ram, Balu, Sheru, and None of these. The inclusion of "Ram," a revered name in Hinduism, as a possible answer ignited protests from Hindu organizations. They alleged that the question insulted religious beliefs.

Shikha Soni, the headmistress of Government Primary School, Nakti (Khapri), under the Tilda development block in Raipur district, was immediately suspended following an investigation. Himanshu Bhartiya, the District Education Officer (DEO) of Raipur, confirmed the suspension in a statement released on Saturday. Furthermore, disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against Namrata Verma, a contractual assistant teacher who served as the paper moderator, potentially leading to her dismissal.

In her written explanation, Soni admitted to the error, stating that "Ram" was inadvertently printed instead of "Ramu" due to a typographical mistake, specifically the omission of the letter 'U'. She also stated that she failed to notice the word "Ram" properly during review and that the lapse was unintentional. Verma also said that she did not notice the error during re-examination.

The controversy initially surfaced in the Mahasamund district of the Raipur division before spreading to other districts. Prompted by complaints, a five-member committee was formed to investigate the matter, and the subsequent action was based on their report.

This incident has sparked widespread debate about the sensitivity of educational materials and the need for careful scrutiny to avoid unintentional offense. The incident highlights the importance of ensuring that educational content is respectful of all religious beliefs and sentiments.