Chhattisgarh Headmistress Suspended Over Offensive Question in Class 4 English Paper
Authorities in Chhattisgarh have suspended a government school headmistress after a question she allegedly framed for a Class 4 English exam sparked outrage for hurting religious sentiments. The controversy, which surfaced during recently held half-yearly examinations, has also triggered disciplinary proceedings against the paper moderator, who faces dismissal from service.
The issue revolves around a multiple-choice question in an English paper that asked students to identify the name of a dog belonging to a character named Mona. Among the four options provided was the name “Ram,” which drew immediate objection from various quarters, as Lord Ram is a revered deity in Hinduism. The other options listed were “Bala,” “Sheru,” and “None of the above.”
Complaints and Protests Lead to Inquiry
The matter first came to light in Mahasamund district before spreading to other areas under the Raipur division, prompting protests by right-wing organizations. Demonstrators gathered outside the District Education Office in Mahasamund, demanding strict action against those responsible for framing the question paper. The Vishva Hindu Parishad went a step further, calling for the arrest and dismissal of the individuals involved in preparing the paper.
Following the complaints, a five-member inquiry committee was constituted to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Headmistress Suspended, Moderator Faces Termination
Shikha Soni, the headmistress of the Government Primary School in Nakti (Khapri), located under the Tilda development block in Raipur district, has been placed under suspension based on the findings of the inquiry. The decision was announced by Raipur District Education Officer (DEO) Himanshu Bhartiya in a statement released on Saturday.
In addition to Soni’s suspension, the DEO confirmed that disciplinary action has been initiated against Namrata Verma, an assistant teacher working on a contractual basis who served as the paper moderator. The proceedings are aimed at her dismissal from service.
Explanation Offered by the Accused
In her written explanation, Soni admitted to the mistake, stating that the word “Ram” was inadvertently printed instead of “Ramu” due to the omission of the letter ‘U’. She maintained that the error occurred unintentionally during the preparation of the question paper and went unnoticed during the review process.
Soni emphasized that she had no intention whatsoever of hurting anyone’s religious sentiments or showing disrespect toward any religion or community. She expressed regret and tendered an unconditional apology for the oversight.
Moderator Acknowledges Lapse
Verma, in her defense, explained that she had been assigned the task of preparing one set of Class 4 English question papers out of two sets received from the district education office. She noted that each question contained four multiple-choice options, which she retained as they were provided to her. Verma conceded that she failed to properly review the word “Ram” and admitted that the lapse was unintentional on her part.
She too expressed remorse and assured authorities that such an error would not be repeated in the future.
Officials Warned for Lapses in Supervision
Taking a strict view of the supervisory failures, the DEO has issued warning letters to two officials. The Block Education Officer of Tilda was cautioned for not selecting an experienced teacher for the task, while the principal of Shaheed Smarak Swami Atmanand Utkrisht Vidyalaya in Raipur was pulled up for failing to appoint a suitable moderator for the paper.
The incident has reignited discussions about the need for greater sensitivity and rigorous oversight in the preparation of educational materials, particularly in a diverse and culturally rich state like Chhattisgarh. While officials have acted swiftly to address the grievances, the episode serves as a reminder of the care required when framing academic content that reaches young students across communities.
