A question paper for class 10 Social Science examination conducted by the Madhya Pradesh state board has created a controversy after ‘Pakistan occupied Kashmir’ was referred to as ‘Azad Kashmir’.
In the question paper, conducted in both Hindi and English, a section dedicated to match the following type questions, had five options on the left and right-hand side of the page. The options on the left-hand side of the page had to be matched with the correct option on the right-hand side of the page. Out of these five options, option number five on the right-hand side-'Azad Kashmir' matches with the third option on the left-hand side-'India-Pakistan'.
The term 'Azad Kashmir' is used by Pakistan to refer to the part of Kashmir under its occupation. India considers the region as part of the undivided Jammu and Kashmir. The region includes the western portion of the Kashmir region which has been a bone of contention between India and Pakistan since 1947.
The incident triggered a controversy as the Indian government has always maintained that the entire Jammu and Kashmir region is an integral part of India, which includes the part occupied by Pakistan.
Home Minister Amit Shah, while arguing for the case of abrogation of article 370 in the Lok Sabha, had asserted that Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is an integral part of India.
"Kashmir is an integral part of India, there is no doubt about it. When I say Jammu and Kashmir, I include Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Aksai Chin, both are included in the territorial boundaries of Jammu and Kashmir," the Home Minister said.
"Ladakh, including Aksai Chin, will be a Union Territory. Both Hill Councils will continue to be active," he said.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has written a letter to the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education, seeking action taken report on the blunder. "Prima facie it seems to be a criminal offence," the letter reads.
"You are requested to urgently investigate into this matter& send the report to us about the action taken against the person responsible," the letter added. The board will have to file a report within 7 days.
