GUJARATI PAGES IN A MARATHI TEXTBOOK: NCP LEADER TATKARE

NAGPUR:UPROAR over the Opposition’s allegations that a Class 6 geography textbook had some pages in Gujarati, instead of Marathi, stalled the proceedings in the legislative Council on Friday.

Raising the issue after the question hour, NCP leader Sunil Tatkare claimed some textbooks for Marathi medium published by Bal Bharati (publishers of state-run Maharashtra State Bureau of Textbooks), sold in his native Raigad, were found to have six pages in Gujarati. “This is the government’s deliberate attempt to please its masters in Delhi,” Tatkare alleged, insisting the government should tender an apology for the lapse. He said it not only proved the Bjp-led government was apathetic towards Marathi, but it also showed that it was “appeasing Gujaratis”.

Some members trooped into the well and shouted slogans after which the House was adjourned for 30 minutes. When the House re-assembled, Tatkare and others targeted the government again.

Revenue, relief and rehabilitation minister Chandrakant Patil refuted that all textbooks were printed in bulk with Gujarati pages. “It could be a binding mistake in a few copies,” Patil said, alleging that another possibility was that somebody inserted these pages in a few books on purpose.

Tatkare, who retires from the House on July 16, said the allegations that Opposition members doctored a copy of the textbook, were serious. “I will consume poison in the House if it is proved that I printed the book,” Tatkare said.

The state will have to make a statement in the Council on Monday. PRADIP KUMAR MAITRA