In a shocking revelation, the Sociology textbook for nursing students under the Indian Nursing Council syllabus mentions the so-called ‘fact’ found in a book page under the section “‘merits and advantages of dowry system”.
The book page is now trending on social media and netizens-especially the youth wonder where this ideology is coming from and ruining our education system. Social media users said that the page belongs to the nursing Sociology textbook written by TK Indrani.
Shiv Sena leader Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also shared the book page on social media and urged the Union Education Minister to prevent such regressive books from entering the market. She said that the presence of such books in our curriculum is a ‘shame’ and ‘derogatory’ to our constitution. The minister added that the book is part of the curriculum for the second-year B.Sc students as well.
I request Shri @dpradhanbjp ji to remove such books from circulation. That a textbook elaborating the merits of dowry can actually exist in our curriculum is a shame for the nation and its constitution. https://t.co/qQVE1FaOEw
— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) April 3, 2022
Enumerating the merits of the dowry practice, the book said it helps to set up a new household by bringing in furniture and appliances like a fridge and refrigerator for free. The book also mentioned that the girl gets a share of the parental property as a dowry.
കഷ്ടം… 🤦🏻♂️
Textbook of Sociology for Nurses. Author TK Indrani.
Page 122. Chapter 6. Second Edition.#dowry #Shame https://t.co/soraYqu05b pic.twitter.com/EdScExC8WU— Sibi T Baby (@SibiSobhaBaby) April 4, 2022
Another advantage of the practice is that parents have started educating their girls to give less dowry. It is stated that this is an ‘indirect’ benefit as girls get educated and even employed due to parental pressure of dowry. The last point on the page says the dowry system can help marry off “ugly looking girls”.This statement stands by itself and clearly reflects what the author wants to deliver.
Reports of women being harassed, killed in dowry deaths, or mentally tortured to commit suicide continues to this day. Twitter users have reacted strongly, saying that it is appalling to see such books being a part of the college-level curriculum.
DCW Chairperson @SwatiJaiHind wrote a letter to Union Education Minister Dhramendra Pradhan, expressing disappointment and seeking strict action against the author of a nursing sociology textbook for glorifying the #dowry system. @DCWDelhi https://t.co/m56xVLKVLS
— Vandana Singh (@VandanaSsingh) April 5, 2022
DCW(Delhi Commission for Women), has taken cognizance of media reports on the matter.DCW Chief Swati Maliwal wrote a letter to Dharmendra Pradhan(Union Education Minister)-expressing her disappointment and seeking strict action against the author for glorifying the dowry system. She also added that “It’s high time that the educational curriculum in the country is made more gender-sensitive and inclusive.”
References: NDTV,
Featured Image Source: NDTV, New Indian Express,India Today
