1 week ago
Collective backs Ahmedabad school dropping Malala, Anne Frank books
A school in Ahmedabad removed two famous books from its required reading list.
The books were written by Malala Yousafzai and Anne Frank.
Some parents and right-wing groups said the books should not be included.
Their protests began after an alleged piece of glass was found in a school meal.
The protests later included claims that the reading list discriminated against a religion.
Government officials sent notices to the school.
A group called the Student and Youth Collective said the books are important for learning about education, courage, and history.
It asked people to respect the school’s freedom to choose educational materials.
At least 200 people expressed solidarity with Anand Niketan School Shilaj after it removed two books from its mandatory reading list.
The books were Malala Yousafzai’s “I Am Malala” and Anne Frank’s “The Diary of a Young Girl.”
Parents’ protests began on August 11 over alleged glass in a canteen meal and later expanded into claims of religious discrimination.
Right-wing groups including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal joined demonstrations at the school.
After government notices, the school dropped the books, terminated consultant Munazza Shums, and fired its canteen supervisor.
- Who
- Anand Niketan School Shilaj, protesting parents, right-wing groups, government officials, and the Student and Youth Collective, along with more than 200 supporting citizens.
- What
- The school removed books by Malala Yousafzai and Anne Frank from its mandatory Book Club reading list and dismissed its consultant.
- Where
- Anand Niketan School Shilaj in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
- When
- Protests began on August 11; the Student and Youth Collective issued its statement on Monday and planned to meet affected staff on Tuesday.
- Why
- Parents and right-wing groups objected to the books, alleging religious discrimination; education advocates said the books are valuable resources for critical learning.
Education advocates
Protesting parents and groups
Whether the books belong in the reading list
Education advocates
The Student and Youth Collective said the books are important for understanding women’s and children’s education, the Holocaust, history, and personal struggles.
Protesting parents and groups
Protesting parents and supporting right-wing groups objected to the books’ inclusion and alleged that the reading list discriminated against a religion.
School autonomy
Education advocates
The collective urged the government and other groups to respect the school’s autonomy in selecting material and encouraging critical reading and debate.
Protesting parents and groups
The protests and government notices led the school to remove the books and end its consultant’s services.
Outside intervention in education
Education advocates
The collective called government action and interference by outside groups in the school’s academic activities deeply unsettling.
Protesting parents and groups
The protesting groups participated in demonstrations, while officials issued notices after the controversy expanded beyond the original canteen complaint.
Key facts
- School
- Anand Niketan School Shilaj, affiliated with the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination.
- Removed books
- “I Am Malala” by Malala Yousafzai and “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank.
- Support
- At least 200 people signed or expressed solidarity with the school.
- Protests
- They began on August 11 over an alleged piece of glass in a canteen meal.
- Protesting groups
- The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal joined parent demonstrations.
- School actions
- The school removed the books, terminated consultant Munazza Shums, and fired its canteen supervisor.
- Support group
- Student and Youth Collective, Ahmedabad, called for school autonomy and defended the books’ educational value.
Quotes
Student and Youth Collective, Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad civil society initiative that issued a statement supporting the school’s educational autonomy
“Schools should be places of learning, but also for critical reading, discussion, and healthy debate. This involves teachers and instructors bringing in texts that are relevant to the times we are living in.”
indianexpress.com
“We find the manner in which this issue was dealt with — the government action, outside groups interfering with the school’s academic and educational activities — deeply unsettling”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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