Women's Commission seeks remedial action against textbook listing 'merits of dowry'
New Delhi, April 5: The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Tuesday wrote to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, seeking his intervention and remedial action against the sociology textbook for nurses by TK Indrani, which listed the merits of dowry.
A letter was also sent to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, seeking action in the matter and to intimate the Commission within seven days.
"As stated in the media reports, the material suggests that getting a share of parental property in dowry is one of the "merits" of the regressive practice. In the book's cover, it is reported to be written according to the syllabus of the Indian Nursing Council. The page is from the Textbook of Sociology for Nurses by TK Indrani, under the heading - The Merits of Dowry," read NCW's letter.
The Commission also stated that dowry is a deep-rooted social evil in India, and portraying it positively would undermine women's empowerment.
"The matter is of serious concern and the Commission has taken cognizance. It sends a very wrong message to the students about the prevailing menace of 'dowry'," the letter read.
Meanwhile, the Indian Nursing Council on Monday also condemned the "derogatory content" in the textbook, adding that it does not endorse any author or publication nor has it allowed any author to use the name of the Indian Nursing Council for their publications.
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A chapter in a sociology textbook for nurses sparked a controversy on Monday as it has claimed that the system of dowry is actually good for society and even helps parents of "ugly looking girls" to get them married off.
The controversial book is called 'Textbook of Sociology for Nurses' by Author TK Indrani and it is part of the curriculum for second-year B.Sc. students.
After the outrage on social media, the Statutory Body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare-- INC condemned the "substandard content" and stated, "It has been brought to the notice of the Indian Nursing Council that some authors of Sociology for Nurses are quoting INC syllabus to publish substandard content in textbooks. INC strongly condemns any derogatory content which is against the prevailing law of the land."
INC further issued a clarification, saying that it only prescribes syllabus for nursing programs, and the same is listed on its website.
Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Shiv Sena MP, has raised the issue and written to Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan over the textbook's contents.
Chaturvedi, in her letter, listed the content of the textbook wherein one of the 'advantages', as stated in the textbook, reads - "Ugly looking girls can be married off with attractive dowry will well or ugly looking boys".
Another point in the textbook read - "Because of burden of dowry, many parents have started educating their girls. When the girls are educated or even employed, the demand of dowry will be less. Thus, it is an indirect advantage."
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-PTC News
