A class 6 Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) textbook that says non-vegetarians cheat, lie and commit sex crimes has sparked controversy over the standard of school textbooks in India.
Certain remarks on the book titled 'New Healthway: Health, Hygiene, Physiology, Safety, Sex Education, Games and Exercises' have raised serious questions about the quality of education imparted in Indian schools.
According to an NDTV report, page 56 of the book said that meat eaters "easily cheat, tell lies, they forget promises, they are dishonest and tell bad words, steal, fight and turn to violence and commit sex crimes."
The same page teaches children that the taste of meat comes from waste products.
"It is the waste products which largely produce the flavour of meat."
Apart from the objectionable content about non vegetarians, the book also contains highly gender-biased statements about girls.
In the section that speaks about life lessons, the book says that the best age for a girl to marry is between 18 and 25. It further adds that "to get married without a bad name is a dream of every young girl."
Reacting to the incident, CBSE admitted to NDTV that there is no monitoring of content for school books and the books are chosen by individual schools.
The particular book is printed by S.Chand publications, well known for publishing hundreds of books for schools and universities in India, makes the issue more alarming.
Educational experts blame it on the policy of CBSE which recommends the publisher and not the particular book, for study.
"The CBSE recommends some publishers and not particularly books. It is a great way for us to actually see whether teachers are reading the books and teaching what the books say," Annie Koshy, principal of St Mary's school in New Delhi told NDTV.
The controversial content of the book has triggered a debate in Twitter and Facebook. Twitter users posted their thoughts on the issue with #LieSexCheat and #NonVegetarian tags.
Here is a glimpse in to the hilarious twitter reactions:
Nadkarni @bnadkarni:Chicken, Pig, cow, alligator, rabbit, bison, elk, goat, sheep, snail, fish, duck, goose, turkey, - It's my chargesheet #NonVeg
mihir mehta @NihilistMe: Just had chicken sikh kabab at subway .... searching for a hot chick now... #nonveg
Lokesh Bahety @lbahety:Why did the chicken cross the road? A bunch of liars and cheaters were trying to rape it #NonVeg @waatho
ShehlaRashid: This whole non-vegetarians #LieSexCheat row is making me super duper uber hungry. Let me fry some chicken."
Faking News@fakingnews: Non-vegetarians steal, lie, and cheat. Now I know what KFC stands for: Kleptomania Fuck Cheat.
Geetika Rustagi @geetiga:So technically speaking..all our politicians are non-vegetarians?
vGunjanDua @zunzanzua: Non veg blood? Or veg? The recipient might object. #LieSexCheat RT @mgirotra: Donated Blood :o)
Angry Bombay Girl @shadymumbai: Dear Vegetarian People ...stop eating my Food's Food. OK. #Non Vegeterian .
Ganesh @Ganesh_kratos: Well atleast they believe we #NonVegetarian, don't kill Vegetarians...
Arun Ganesh @arunganesh1203: Expect a clarification from #CBSE board- "Eating Non-veg food will give u the proteins & energy to steal, lie, cheat & be violent"
Kamakaze @kamleshksingh: Another difference between vegetarians and non-vegetarians is that the latter loves his lettuces too. The former froths at this #LieSexCheat
Ari @arichatt: Just came to know I am a liar, cheat & sexual offender. #NonVegetarian .. Oh bacon Id so stalk you
