The education department is being accused of publishing objectionable content in a book titled Bal Nachiket which briefly talks about lovemaking, losing virginity and has prurient material. This book is not part of the syllabus but is given to students of first-fifth grade to develop reading skills. This move by the state has not gone down well with parents and teachers.
In this regard, Bal Bharti director Sunil Magar said that the selection of books is done by an expert committee and he said that he will not comment until he reads the book.
The leader of opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil alleged the government buys books from ‘Bharti Vichar Sanstha’ for ₹20 but they ask students to buy it for ₹50.
Education minister shut down 1,314 schools in the name of socialisation, but they fail to see the student’s mentality and perception. Students are not at fault but education minister is,” Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, LoP.
If students come across such books then they will be riddled with a lot of questions. And when these students will ask us questions, how are we supposed to explain it to them? I doubt if the committee who passed this book have read it in the first place,” Prashant Redij, President, Mumbai Headmaster’s Organisation.