West Bengal: Alphabet Book Portrays Dark Complexion Boy As 'U For Ugly'; 2 Teachers Suspended

The municipality-run school in Burdwan district of West Bengal suspended the two women teachers and ordered probe into the matter.

The authorities assured that stricter action would be taken against the teachers. (Representative Image/ Getty)

While on one end the world in indulged in global debate to end racial discrimination post African-American George Floyd's death, two teachers in West Bengal have found themselves under spotlight for teaching primary school students from an English alphabet book which portrayed the people with dark complexion as 'Ugly'.  According to the reports, an English text book for primary school students presented alphabets with corresponding words and images. The book said letter 'U' is for 'Ugly', and the illustration printed beside the letter showed a boy with dark complexion. This triggered concerns among parents, prompting them to raise voice for teaching students racial discrimination. An India Today report quoted a concerned parent Sudip Majumdar, who said, “My daughter is studying in this Municipal Girls High School. I came across this subject while teaching my daughter. It is completely wrong to educate children by calling a black person ugly in this way. This book should be withdrawn soon." Upon acknowledging the development, the municipality-run school in Burdwan district of West Bengal ordered for suspension of the two women teachers and ordered probe into the matter. The authorities assured that stricter action would be taken against them later. Meanwhile, state Education Minister Partha Chatterjee told PTI news agency that the book used by the two accused teachers was not part of the book set referred by the education department. "The book is not part of the text books referred by the education department. It was introduced by the school itself. We have zero tolerance for acts which instill prejudices into the minds of students," Chatterjee said. This comes days after an African-American man Geroge Floyd was killed by a policeman as he exerted pressure on his neck publicly in America. The whole incident was captured on camera which was followed by outrage among people. The residents of the United States came out on the streets showing placards and raising their voice against the death of African-American man.