Book defines 'Gond' as beef eater, MP government on backfoot, blacklists publication

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL: A Geography book that defines the word 'Gond' as cow killer and beef eater, will not be taught in colleges and has been blacklisted.

The mention of the word Gond in the book rocked the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday.

Congress leaders raised slogans against the government and wanted chief minister to reply. They alleged that the Gonds were being defamed and a wrong history of tribal culture was being taught in the universities of Madhya Pradesh.

Leader of Opposition Ajay Singh led the charge. He made a sharp attack on the government for allowing the Geography book to be taught in the colleges. He said that Gonds were among the oldest inhabitants of the region and a large part of present-day MP was part of Gondwana.

Congress MLAs entered the well of the Assembly. As legislators raised slogans and demanded action for the lapse, the assembly proceedings had to be suspended repeatedly.

Later, the State government said that action would be taken against publisher and the principal of the college where this book was kept in library. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Narottam Mishra said that the book is blacklisted now.

"If Congess has any new facts, they can come up with them and inform us. But we have already taken due action", Mishra said. The Higher education department has issued notices to principal of Mahakosal College and authorities responsible for purchase of the book.