Azad Kashmir: Political ruckus on the question of examination in West Bengal, BJP told 'Jihadi' conspiracy

 

Pakistan refers to the part of the state that is controlled by its government in the west as 'Azad Kashmir', while India refers to the region as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

A photograph of a Class 10 exam sample question asking students to mark "Azad Kashmir" on a map has sparked a political uproar in West Bengal. While the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) called it a "jihadist" conspiracy, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government called it a mistake which they do not support. According to a corrigendum provided by the board on 17 January, the question should be read as "Kashmir" instead of "Azad Kashmir".

Pakistan refers to the part of the state that is controlled by its government in the west as "Azad Kashmir", while India refers to the region as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Since 1947, it has been a contentious topic between the two countries.

Students preparing for Class 10 secondary exams, which are often held in March or April, use test papers. The book is a compilation of questions supplied by government schools across Bengal and published by the board each year. Page 132 of the document contains the controversial question.

Ramanuja Gangopadhyay, chairman of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, assured the media that experts from the board would examine the situation and take appropriate measures.

"Our experts will review the question. We will ask who set the question and review it. Action will be taken as per the provisions in the Board's Act. We will publish our decision, be it clarification or correction, on our website. Everything will be official," he said, claiming that the wrongdoers would not get off easily.

BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh, as well as other officials, attacked the Mamata Banerjee government, claiming that it advocates separatist rhetoric.

Describing the Mamata government as a supporter of separatist forces, Ghosh posted, “Check the marked section of History question paper on page 132 of Secondary Test Paper 2023. The students have been asked to recognize the part of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as Azad Kashmir." ,

1.1 Mamta government is a supporter of separatist forces

Check the marked section of History question paper on page 132 of Madhyamik Test Paper 2023. Students have been asked to identify the part of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir as Azad Kashmir.

— Dilip Ghosh (@DilipGhoshBJP) January 17, 2023

Rahul Sinha, a prominent BJP member, accused the state administration of encouraging "jihadi" ideas within its borders. He called for a "high-level probe" into the incident which "proves that the state government promotes jihadi ideas to please its vote bank".