PUBLISHER IN SOUP - HRD minister condemns `sexist' text, orders action 

Manash Gohain

New Delhi





On the back of a public outcry, HRD minister Prakash Javadekar called the description of a “perfect female body“ in a Class XII textbook as “sexist“ while ordering action against the pri vate publisher which has since decided to stop the printing and sale of the book. Excerpts from the `Health and Physical Education' book, authored by Dr V K Sharma, defining “36-24-36“ as the “best body shape for females“ went viral on social media on Wednesday, triggering demands that it be withdrawn.

“I condemn the remarks in the book as sexist. The text is non-defensible and unacceptable. We have taken serious note of it. I have instructed the officers to take appropriate action,“ said Javadekar. “We have taken strong exception to the news that a book for Class XII students has some sexist remarks ...This is not an NCERT book, neither it is an NCF compliant book. It is a private pub lisher's book and the matter is going to be probed,“ he said.

“This is the reason why we are urging the schools to subscribe to NCERT books and not go for books by private publishers,“ the minister said.

The book published by the New Saraswati House (NSH) gives graphic description on perfect body shape for a woman and man.

Javadekar said all efforts are being made to make NCERT books available on time which are “less expensive and of better quality“.

Earlier, Anil Swarup, secretary in the department of school education, MHRD, tweeted: “Neither a book approved by CBSE nor published by NCERT. Action to be taken against pvt publisher.“