A fresh controversy has erupted in the state of Chhattisgarh after Class 10 Social Science textbook was found stating that "working women are one of the causes of unemployment in India".
A chapter on economic problems of India in the textbook quotes that the "percentage of unemployment has increased after independence, as women have started working in all sectors".
School teacher Soumya Garg of Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh has filed a petition with the Chhattisgarh Commission for Women, challenging this statement, The Times of India reported.
"Does it mean that percentage of unemployment is measured on parameters keeping only men in mind? In the age of technology and gender equality, students can't be taught about such prejudices. Women have equal right over jobs with men," she told TOI.
The Hindi school textbook has been published by the Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE).
Garg had reportedly filed a complaint on the issue with the women's commision last month, but is yet to receive a reply.
Women's commission member Harshita Pandey said they will acknowledge the issue immediately.
"I would personally write to chief minister and minister for education to consider the matter. Women are integral part of human resources in today's age who are equally competent to men. They can't be held responsible for unemployment in country," Pandey was quoted as saying.
This is not the first time that questionable contents have appeared in school textbooks. The Maharashtra government had, in 2013, ordered the withdrawal of Class 10 Geography textbook that excluded Arunachal Pradesh from the map of India.
