‘It Shouldn't Happen, The Paper-Setter Is Anti-National & Inspiring Terrorism’: MoS Education Subhash Sarkar On ‘Azad Kashmir’ Question Row In Bengal School

Political row intensifies over West Bengal school’s ‘Azad Bharat’ question paper. BJP accuses the Trinamool Congress of ‘Jihadi Inclinations.’

‘It shouldn't happen. The paper-setter is anti-national, and inspiring terrorism. State's Edu Min should write to him & this test paper cell should be shut immediately. We'll examine this and take a decision,’ MoS Education Dr, Subhash Sarkar was quoted saying by ANI. 

The MoS Education’s statement comes in the backdrop of the “Azad Kashmir’ question paper row in Bengal school. Students of a West Bengal School were asked to mark ‘Azad Kashmir’ on a map, which has drawn sharp reactions from the ruling BJP. 

A picture of a Class 10 West Bengal question paper is being widely circulated on social media which has sparked a political uproar in the country. The BJP has even claimed that the question paper is a part of a bigger ‘Jihadi Conspiracy.’ 

The concerned question paper was part of an exercise book for madhyamik aspirants in a Bengali-medium school. The question asked students to identify several places on a map including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (also known as Azad Bharat). 

The matter intensified in quick time with the BJP charging the Trinamool Congress and Bengal Government of ‘Jihadi’ inclinations. The TMC on the other hand has termed the question as a ‘mistake,’ and stated that the party is not into supporting or appeasing any specific community.

A high-level probe must be ordered. This incident proves that the state government promotes jihadi thoughts to appease its vote bank," BJP leader Rahul Sinha said.

Taking on the Bengal government, BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh said that “the Bengal government not only supports jihadi elements but also tries to influence the minds of the schoolchildren".

“The party doesn’t support anything that is wrong,” TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh was quoted saying by PTI in response to the BJP’s charges. 

Union Minister of State for Education Subhas Sarkar demanded a state-level inquiry into the matter and called for action against the publisher and the person who has set the paper.

The president of West Bengal Board of Secondary Education Ramanuj Ganguly termed the controversial question as a “goof-up” in the test paper published by an external agency. 

We published a compilation of question papers provided by various schools. In one such question paper, this mistake was identified. A probe is being conducted, and stern action will be initiated against editorial team members who were entrusted with the task of proof-reading the papers. Those involved in the mistake will not be spared," Ganguly was quoted saying by PTI.

Education Loan Information: