Non-vegetarians cheat, commit sex crimes: Textbook

While a Class VI textbook claims meat-eaters cheat, lie and commit sex crimes, the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE) has said that school books used across the country are not monitored for content.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: The book is titled New Healthway: Health, Hygiene, Physiology, Safety, Sex Education, Games and Exercises. On page 56, it says that non-vegetarians fight and turn to violence and commit sex crimes. Representation pic.

"We only recommend books for Class IX onwards. Books are chosen by individual schools. There is no monitoring of content of school books," CBSE chief Vineet Joshi said.

He was reacting to the story which showed the Class VI book titled New Healthway: Health, Hygiene, Physiology, Safety, Sex Education, Games and Exercises. On page 56, the book says about non-vegetarians, "They easily cheat, tell lies, they forget promises, they are dishonest and tell bad words, steal, fight and turn to violence and commit sex crimes."

That's not all. On the same page, the book credits the tastiness of meat by saying that ‘it is the waste products which largely produce the flavour of meat'. It is published by the reputed firm S Chand, which also prints texts used in hundreds of schools in the country.

A report had been prepared in 2005 by academics which had raised concerns about textbooks printed by private publishers. But no action was taken on it, said Janaki Rajan of the Faculty of Education in Jamia University. who was part of the committee that prepared the report. "Since 1985 there have been concerns about what has been propagated by private publishers. An excellent report has been presented to the government but no action has been taken since," she said.u00a0

The same committee had advocated a National Textbook Council to oversee and approve content but that was rejected by states earlier this year.u00a0Annie Koshy, principal of St Mary's school in New Delhi, said that while her school didn't use this book, it does serve as a test case for school books.u00a0

"The CBSE recommends some publishers and not particularly books. It is a great way for us to actually see whether teachers are reading the books and teaching what the books say," she said.u00a0The book in question makes several more bizarre statements. It has lauded the Japanese for their vegetarian diet, which it says leads to a longer life span, while ignoring that Japan is known for sushi and seafood.

"They are vegetarians and live longer than most other peoples. The generous use of green leafy vegetables, soya beans and grams has helped the people to maintain vigour, strength and endurance throughout the centuries", the book says.u00a0But diet isn't the only issue that's raised in the book. While talking about life lessons, the book advocates marriage for girls between 18 to 25. ‘To get married without a bad name is a dream of every young girl', the book says.