The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has filed an FIR against a publisher over sexist content in a text book for Class XII.
The FIR was registered under Section 6 of indecent representation of women (Prohibition) Act, 1986.
A portion of the book on health and physical education meant for Class 12 had invited sharp criticism from several quarters which claimed ‘36-24-36 shape of females is considered to be the best’.
Soon after the controversy erupted, the board had issued a statement clarifying that the it had not prescribed the book.
According to the CBSE, the book was published by New Saraswati House (India) Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, and written by Dr VK Sharma, professor, department of physical education, DAV College, Cheeka (Kaithal) Haryana.
The FIR was registered days after Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar directed action in the matter.
Javadekar had said that officers concerned have been told to take appropriate action and that the government will ensure that CBSE schools follow books published only by the NCERT.
"Such sexist contents are absolutely unacceptable and highly condemnable. This is not a NCERT book, rather from a private publisher. That is why we have been asking CBSE schools not to use books by private publishers. Officers have been instructed to take strict action against those behind this textbook," he said.
The Minister had even hinted that the Ministry may seek criminal action against the author and publisher of the book.
