After singer Sonu Nigam stoked controversy by criticising the use of loudspeakers in azaan, the Muslim call to prayer is again in the news, thanks to a picture from a Class 6 ICSE textbook equating a mosque to noise pollution. Published by Selina Publishers, the chapter on noise pollution shows a train, car, plane and mosque, all with symbols depicting loud sound, next to a man grimacing and shutting his ears. Obviously, the image gained huge traction on social media, sparking outrage and prompting an apology from the publisher. The ICSE, on the other hand, instead of condemning the issue in no uncertain terms simply maintained that it was not responsible for the gaffe.rThat being said, this is not the first time that content in school textbooks have either been about a certain community or flat out distasteful or offensive. Earlier this year, a Class XII CBSE Physical Education textbook claimed 36-24-36 as the best figure for females. In another incident, a class XII sociology book cited ugliness and physical disability as reasons behind the dowry issue prevalent in the country. A Class 4 environmental science textbook suggested killing a kitten as part of an experiment. From praising the Naxalite movement to straight out distorting history, why is there such a lack of scrutiny on the curriculum being taught in schools. Where is the filtration mechanism? And why is no one being held responsible for such blatant fostering of communal disharmony?
