NCERT Class 3 Textbook Sparks Controversy: Allegations Of 'Love Jihad'—Here’s What The Chapter Contains

A controversy over the NCERT Class 3 textbook has sparked allegations of 'love jihad' for featuring a Hindu girl writing a letter to a Muslim boy.

Dhirendra Shastri Demands Removal of NCERT Lesson: Questions Intent Behind Hindu Girl Writing to Muslim Boy. (Representative Image))

Source : Pixabay

A controversy has erupted over a lesson titled "Chitthi Aayi Hai" in the NCERT Class 3 environmental studies textbook Aas-Paas. Dr. Raghav Pathak, a resident of Khajuraho, has lodged a complaint, alleging that the lesson promotes "love jihad." The controversy has now drawn the attention of Bageshwar Dham’s Peethadhishwar, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, who has also expressed his concerns.

Shastri questioned the intent behind the lesson, asking, “Why didn’t Reena write the letter to someone named Akash, Avinash, or Adarsh? Why did she specifically write to a person from a particular community?” He further claimed that inappropriate ideas are being planted in the minds of young children. Shastri has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the textbook.

According to Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, such content in the textbook is intended to instill harmful thoughts in innocent children from an early age. There might be an agenda behind including such material in the textbook. He insisted that the lesson should be removed immediately.

Shastri also expressed concerns about what he referred to as the growing influence of "anti-religious forces," stating that the sentiments of 100 crore Hindus were being hurt. He raised questions about the language used in the letter format, which, in his view, has raised several important issues. “Why should a Hindu girl studying in Class 3 be writing a letter to a Muslim boy?” he asked, calling for strict legal action against those responsible for fostering such ideas in young children.

In his remarks, Shastri emphasised that the responsibility for tackling such "conspiracies" cannot rest with any single individual. He urged all Hindus across the country to raise their voices collectively against these forces and put an end to such agendas.

What’s in the Textbook?

Chapter 17 of the Class 3 environmental studies textbook is titled "Chitthi Aayi Hai". In this chapter, a girl named Reena invites her friend Ahmed to visit Agartala during the holidays. She writes him a letter, which she signs off with, "Yours, Reena." This particular detail has raised concerns for Dr. Raghav Pathak, who has accused the lesson of promoting 'love jihad.'