Following reports that a textbook published by a Delhi-based publication carries blasphemous material against Islam, the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) on Sunday directed all the schools in the Union territory, including Ladakh to withdraw the textbook.
The Delhi-based publishing house, JAY CEE Publications Private Limited, has regretted the “mistake” in it’s 2020 edition textbook titled History and Civics for Class 7.
The publishing house was condemned over the depiction of the last messenger of Islam Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the textbook. The controversial illustration, which showed a painting of archangel Gabriel and Muhammad, drew lots criticism from local religious leaders, including on social media.
Mufti Nazir Ahmad Qasmi told The Hindu, “There is absolutely no room for making any depiction of the Prophet.”
All schools of the Union territories of J&K and Ladakh, affiliated with the CBSE, the JKBOSE or any other board, are directed not to use the 2020 edition of the textbook for class 7, said the director of academics for JKBOSE in an order.
“If the textbook is being used in any school, it must be withdrawn immediately, otherwise strict action as warranted under the provisions of law shall be initiated,” the order read.
Criticizing the publisher of material that has hurt the sentiments of people, the JKBOSE directed the publicatiom to withdraw the class 7 textbook immediately from all the schools where it has been distributed.
The Srinagar district administration has asked concerned authorities to take strict action against the publishing house, along with the distributor of the textbook.
Condemning the pictorial depictions in the textbook relating to Islam, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah asserted that such “irresponsible” publication has hurt the sentiments of Muslims and also runs counter to the efforts of forging tolerance.
“Such irresponsible publications are hurtful and least helpful in preserving the values of dialogue and coexistence. It seems that the government has thrown caution to the wind while dealing with such a sensitive subject,” Abdullah said, condemning the caricatures with regards to Islam.
“School books should be a beacon of respect, tolerance and peace that rejects practices and acts which are contrary to coexistence,” the former J&K chief minister said, demanding that a thorough inquiry should be ordered into the matter.
“Those behind publishing such caricatures insensitive to Muslims should be dealt with as per the rule of the land,” Abdullah said.
He further noted that a committee should ideally be there to review the content of books meant for kids.
“I demand that the book be withdrawn from circulation forthwith followed by punitive action against the publishing house concerned,” the National Conference chief said.
