CBSE Class 10 English passage ‘blatantly misogynist’: Sonia Gandhi demands apology

New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Monday condemned the inclusion of a "blatantly misogynist" passage in a CBSE Class 10 question paper and demanded an apology from the government. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Gandhi demanded immediate withdrawal of the objectionable question and a review into the "gravest lapse".

Also read | CBSE drops Class 10 English controversial passage; Students to get full marks for question

“The entire passage is riddled with such condemnable ideas and the questions that follow are equally nonsense. I add my voice to the concern of students, parents and teachers. And, I raise strong objections to such blatantly misogynist material finding its way to an important examination conducted by the CBSE."

In the Class 10 exam conducted on Saturday, the English question paper carried a comprehension passage with sentences like "emancipation of women destroyed the parent's authority over the children" and "it was only by accepting her husband's way that a mother could gain obedience over the younger ones", among others.

Sonia Gandhi demanded withdrawal of the Class 10 English passage and an apology from the CBSE. She also termed it as a 'shockingly regressive passage'. Seeking clarification on the issue raised by Gandhi, members of the Congress, DMK, IUML, NCP and National Conference walked out of the House.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also hit out at the CBSE over a comprehension passage in the Class 10 English paper, terming it as "disgusting" and a "ploy" of the RSS-BJP to crush the morale and future of the youth.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also took to Twitter, "Unbelievable! Are we really teaching children this drivel? Clearly the BJP Government endorses these retrograde views on women, why else would they feature in the CBSE curriculum?”

Lakshmi Ramachandran, spokesperson of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, said, "This outrageously nonsensical reading passage appeared in the 10th CBSE board exam paper today. What are we teaching our children? CBSE has to give an explanation and tender an apology for inflicting our children with this".

(With inputs from PTI)