11/18/2012

Textbook on health creates controversy in India



A major row has erupted in India after a controversial textbook, printed by one of the country's leading educational publishers, claimed that non-vegetarians " easily cheat, lie, forget promises and commit sex crimes".
Academicians have urged the government to take action immediately and remove the information from the textbook on health and hygiene, titled New Healthway, and aimed at 12-year-old students.
"The strongest argument that meat is not essential food is the fact that the Creator of this Universe did not include meat in the original diet for Adam and Eve. He gave them fruits, nuts and vegetables," says a chapter in the book.
It adds: "They (non-vegetarians) easily cheat, tell lies, forget promises, they are dishonest and tell bad words, steal, fight and turn to violence and commit sex crimes."
Reacting to the controversy, Indian Human Resource Development Minister M.M. Pallam Raju has described the text in the book as " unfortunate and an occasional aberration".
"Sensitivities of communities have to be kept in mind. Also state bodies have to stay alert about the content of the textbooks which reaches children across the country," he added.

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