At a time when people across the globe are actively raising their voices against the continuous racist attacks over the years and existing deep-rooted racism, here we come across a racist post in our own country.
On one hand, people in the United States are protesting against racist police violence through the âBlack Lives Matterâ movement in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in broad daylight. On the other hand, here in India, recently parents of a primary school in West Bengal's Burdwan district took to the streets to protest against an illustration that depicted a dark-skinned person as ugly.


Till when are we going to relate dark-skinned people with ugliness? What's that sick mentality? Isn't it high time to get over such a regressive mindset? Whether USA or India or any part of the world, discrimination on the basis of the colour is far from over and needs immediate attention. Whatâs more shocking is that such sick mentality is being taught to children right from the beginning. For instance, this recent incident.

#WestBengal #government has suspended two women teachers on the charge of #teaching pre-primary students from an #English alphabet book consisting of a portion derogatory to people with dark complexion https://t.co/ROFU6pILeJ

According to news reports, the illustration in one of the chapters depicted âU for Uglyâ with a photo of a person with dark complexion, next to the word. Thatâs next level derogatory! These little minds are being corrupted by such unethical teaching. When the parents came to know about this, quite naturally, they weren't comfortable with the usage of an image of a black person next to the word âuglyâ  in the children's curriculum book on alphabet and words.

© BCCL

Besides, Majumdar also demanded for the book to be withdrawn as it discriminates against dark skinned people. He said, "This book should be withdrawn soon. In any case, the education being given to children in the name of blacks will work to fill their tender hearts with inferiority complexes and discriminate against blacks. This is wrong."

Why not "U" for "UNITY"..?

Meanwhile, news outlets tried to contact Swapan Kumar Dutt, District Inspector of School Primary Education, who refused to comment on the matter initially. But, he later accepted the fact that such education is not right. He said, "This kind of book is not an official book given by the school. We will still talk to the school about it. If needed the book should be changed."

Soon, following a thorough investigation into this sensitive matter, two teachers were suspended with immediate effect. Also, stricter action is to be taken against them.

Clearing the stance of the government in this matter, in an interview, Education Minister Partha Chatterjee confirmed that the textbook was not issued by the government. He said, "The book is not part of the text books referred by the education department. It was introduced by the school itself. We have zero tolerance for acts which instill prejudices into the minds of students."

Instances like these make us question the existing teaching system in place that pays little to no attention to the existing social evils. Children should be made aware of such sensitive topics right from their childhood rather than corrupting their minds.

This particular incident came into light when the father of a student was referring to the textbook and teaching him at home. He immediately informed other parents and the education department about the issue.

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