New Delhi: A question in the Assam Board of Secondary Education’s (SEBA) Class 10 Social Science exam has triggered controversy, with critics alleging sectarian bias. The question, aimed at testing students’ understanding of India’s secularism, has drawn mixed reactions from social media users and activists.
During the Class 10 Social Science exam held on Thursday, students were asked:
“Imagine that the government has built a hospital in a village named Dumbuk. In this hospital, Hindus receive free treatment, while people from other religions have to bear the cost of their own treatment. Can a government in a country like India implement such a measure? Express your opinion.”
The three-mark question faced backlash, with some accusing it of promoting religious division. However, Assam’s Education Minister Ranoj Pegu dismissed the controversy as “unnecessary.”
He clarified, “The preamble of the Indian Constitution does not permit any kind of discrimination. We follow the policy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ (Inclusive Development for All) without any bias. The real question is whether students understand that discrimination based on religion, caste, or language is unconstitutional in Assam. There is no need for outrage or debate on this.”
The controversy has reignited discussions on the role of educational institutions in fostering constitutional values and the impact of such questions on young minds.
