Row over question on 'Azad Kashmir' in Bengal test paper, education board admits goof up, orders probe

Question on Azad Kashmir: A row has erupted in West Bengal following a reference to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in a test paper published by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education. The education board has ordered a probe into the matter.

A political row erupted in West Bengal after a question paper asked Class 10 students to mark “Azad Kashmir” in the map. The image of the question paper went viral as BJP leaders like Sukanta Majumdar and Dilip Ghosh shared it on social media. They accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of creating an "anti-India" mentality.

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is referred to as Azad Kashmir in Pakistan.

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Question in exercise book

The question paper was issued in an exercise book of Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Vidyamadir, a government-aided school in Malda district. It asked the students to identify several places on the map including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It read: On the map of India locate the following places, with the options being Azad Kashmir, Moplah (Malabar) rebellion area, the place where Gandhiji had first undertaken the Satyagraha movement and Chittagong battleground.

When asked to explain the "goof up", the headmaster said they just tried to put forth an aspect of history before its students.

"There is no negative thought behind it. Only a historical fact has been stated. We follow the ideals of Swami Vivekananda and try to instill nationalism and patriotism among students," said Swami Tapahara Nanda, the headmaster.

Probe ordered in matter

However, West Bengal Board of Secondary Education chief Ramanuj Ganguly admitted the mistake and said a probe has been ordered.

"We have started a probe following which we shall rectify the mistake and provide clarification. We shall seek a response from those behind the mistake and action will be taken as per law," Ramanuj Ganguly told India Today.

Ganguli added that the paper was set by a physical education teacher instead of a history teacher. This apparently led to the goof up. And as the book had already been distributed across schools in the state, they could not recall it at this stage, he said.

Union minister of state for education Subhas Sarkar, who addressed a press meet over the matter, called for a state-level inquiry into the issue.

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