Chhattisgarh School Exam Question Sparks Controversy Over ‘Ram’ as Dog’s Name
Right-Wing Groups Protest in Mahasamund Over Exam Content
A multiple-choice question in an English exam for Class 4 students in government schools in Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh, sparked controversy after the name ‘Ram’ appeared as one of the options for a dog’s name.
The exam asked students to identify Mona’s dog with the options: ‘Bala’, ‘Sheru’, ‘No One’, and ‘Ram’.
Protests and Demands for Action
VHP Seeks Arrests and Dismissals
The question led to protests from right-wing organisations outside the District Education Officer (DEO) office. Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) district head Harshwardhan Chandrakar demanded the arrest and dismissal of the individuals responsible for preparing the exam question.
“Questions like this are inappropriate and deeply offensive to religious sentiments,” Chandrakar said.
DEO Responds, Apologises
DEO Vijay Kumar Lahre expressed regret over the incident and assured that measures would be taken to prevent recurrence.
“The relevant question was selected and sent for printing, but a different version of the question paper was printed instead. Due to examination confidentiality, the issue became apparent only after the papers were distributed,” Lahre explained.
The option ‘Ram’ was immediately removed and replaced once the mistake was noticed. The department has also requested an explanation from the printing vendor and asked for the submission of the printed manuscript to investigate how the change occurred.
No Intent to Offend Religious Sentiments
Lahre clarified that there was no intention to hurt religious feelings. He added that the department would strengthen exam protocols to avoid similar issues in the future.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the importance of careful review in school examinations and the sensitivity of content related to religious sentiments. Authorities in Chhattisgarh have acted promptly to correct the error and assure the public of stricter examination processes.
