Exam Question Controversy
- 23-04-2002
News letter from VSK Gujarat -
23-04-2002
To-day's front-page main headline
in the English daily "The Asian Age", published from Ahmedabad, reading
in bold red letters "IF YOU DON'T LIKE PEOPLE, KILL THEM," is a clear example
of misrepresentation. The headline given in the newspaper is in fact a
question No. 3 (A) (3) asked in an English Language examination paper of
standard XII, pertaining to grammer where students were asked to transform
the sentence by removing "if". The said prose is written by E. M. FOSTER,
the great novelist and is a part of official English text-book of std.
XII.
However, the newspaper carried this
story stating that "The Modi Government which has already poisoned the
police and administration, targeted young minds by asking startling violence-related
questions."
The Chairman of Gujarat Secondary
Board Examination Mr. P. V. Trivedi clarified today that it was set from
the text-book of Standard XII. Which is part of the syllabus since last
7 years and the paper was in-fact set by a minority community teacher well
in advance in September 2001 as per prevalent practice in the country.
Mr. Trivedi has expressed deep concern over such reporting.
Thus to attribute such a question,
for targeting, young minds by the state Govt., is highly misleading, mere
imagination, unjustifiable and to provoke the highly charged communal atmosphere
in Gujarat. This appears to be clear abuse of media.
While it is the responsibility of
media to present correct facts before its readers without prejudice or
favours, it is also paramount responsibility of media to present news with
utmost care and restraint, particularly in such delicate circumstances,
after verifying the facts. The present case is a clear example of creating
sensationalism.
In the meantime, the board exams
have continued peacefully on the 5th day also with increased attendance
of 96.63% in Gujarat.
Pradeep Jain
VSK Gujarat News, 23/4/2002