Picture of Rani Laxmi Bai smoking with hookah draws flak - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Picture of Rani Laxmi Bai smoking with hookah draws flak

Hindustan Times | ByRajesh Bhatia, Betul
Jul 24, 2013 09:00 AM IST

A picture of warrior Rani Laxmi Bai smoking a hookah shown in a social studies book of Class 5 being taught in some CBSE schools has outraged a section of students, their parents and teachers.

A picture of warrior Rani Laxmi Bai smoking a hookah shown in a social studies book of Class 5 being taught in some CBSE schools has outraged a section of students, their parents and teachers.

HT Image
HT Image

The school management of RD Public School was surprised when two students of Class 5-Mosin Pawar and Vedant Adlak-asked their teacher if Rani Laxmibai smoked hookah. The teacher in turn informed the school management about the contents of the book.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The picture shows the legendary warrior with a hookah in chapter 18 of the book.

There is a description about the first war of Independence fought in 1857 wherein a picture of Rani Laxmi Bai along with Tatya Tope, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Nana Saheb and others has been published.

The book is authored by Abha Sehgal and Sushmita Malik and published by a Chennai-based publisher 'Orient Blackswan Private Limited'.

Vice-principal of RD Public School admitted that it was a mistake and the school management had not noticed it earlier. "Now, we have noticed the mistake and we will write to the publisher to correct the mistake," he told HT.

The officials of school education department have also taken notice of the error. Subodh Sharma of education department said, "We will instruct the school management to remove the picture of Rani Laxmi Bai. We will also write a letter to NCERT.”

Professor RG Pandey, a historian, said the picture published in the school's book was objectionable and legal action should be taken against the publisher and the school.

"It is very unfortunate that the queen has been depicted in such a manner. The tradition of smoking hookah was not followed by Rani Laxmi Bai's family. The students are being misled by such books.”

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On