It seems that if the Uttar Pradesh Government removes any story of legendary Hindi writer Munshi Premchand from school text books, the Congress party would make an issue to grill the BJP and its allies in NDA. But when the same happens in a Congress-ruled state like Rajasthan, its leaders choose to remain mum.
The text books for class six and nine, published by State Text book Board, for this year's school session, were without two famous stories Idgah and Rashmi of the writers, which were being carried in these books for the past several years.
Surprisingly, neither the Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot nor his Education Minister, B D Kallawere are aware of it.
When this was brought to their notice, they ordered an inquiry into it and at the same time asked the board to bring these books afresh, after including these stories of the writer.
Since it would take time to bring out new editions of these books, students of class six and nine, would continue to read their text books without these two famous stories of the writer. Idgah, was included in the class six book about forty years ago, and almost three generations have read this story during their schooling.
This famous story of Munshi Premchand, is about a poor boy Hamid, who was given Iddee (cash) by his elders on Id day. Instead of purchasing sweets for himself from this cash, he bought a forcep for his grandmother, so she could protect her hands from the fire, while baking bread.
Though books came to the market, with the opening of the school session in July. These changes were brought to the notice of Mr Gehlot on Monday. He summoned Mr Kalla and officials of the educations department.
The plea of the officials was, that they keep changing the text of the books. Idgah would be included in the text for class five from next year, they said. But Mr, Gehlot reportedly was not satisfied with their argument.
He wanted to know on whose behest
these stories were removed from the text books. A Deputy Director of the
department has been asked to inquire into the matter and submit his report
within 15 days.