NCPCR Seeks Reply from NCERT over the inclusion of story by Harsh Mander in textbook

Harsh Mander is accused of money laundering and due to this, the NCPCR has raised questions against NCERT over including his story in a school textbook.

PGurus Newsdesk

April 5, 2022

Harsh Mander is accused of money laundering and due to this, the NCPCR has raised questions against NCERT over including his story in a school textbook.

NCPCR slams NCERT for ignoring Juvenile Justice Act

Apex child rights body National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has sought an explanation from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) over the inclusion of a story in the school textbook, written by social activist Harsh Mander, who has been accused of money laundering while running children homes.

Harsh Mander is accused of money laundering while running children’s homes and the inclusion of his story negates different provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. The issue came under the spotlight after a complaint was filed highlighting a story titled Weathering the Storm in Ersama included in the English book Moments for Class IX.

In a letter to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), NCPCR chief Priyank Kanoongo said the content of the story was examined following a complaint, and it was found that it negates different provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.

“Also, the narrative of the story is built in a way to suggest that the rescue and welfare work are only carried out by the non-government organizations and undermines the country’s mechanism including disaster management agencies and other authorities,” the letter said.

The Commission said it received a complaint highlighting a story titled Weathering the Storm in Ersama included in the English book Moments for Class IX.

“The said chapter (story) included in the supplementary reading book is authored by Shri Harsh Mandar among other stories by renowned literary figures. The complaint raises questions over the inclusion of the story by a person who is accused of money laundering while running children’s homes in the country,” Kanoongo said.

The NCPCR chief said it seems that the other two stories titled “A Home on the Street‘ and ‘Paying for his Tea‘- given as suggested readings at the end of the chapter also present a similar picture and have been included without cross-checking the present scenario of care and protection of children in the country.

“It is important to note that the JJ Act was enacted in 2015 and subsequently the J J Model Rules were also constituted in 2016. The said book has been reprinted five times between 2016-2021, and as per the reports revisions of books/ syllabus have also been carried out regularly without referring to the relevant laws and without being sensitive to the issue of care and protection of children,” the NCPCR said.

“Therefore, the matter is being forwarded to you for your comments and to take appropriate action in this regard. It is also requested that NCERT may also ensure that no such misguiding account is reflected in other stories/ chapters in the books. You may appraise the Commission about the action taken within seven (07) days of issuance of this letter,” Kanoongo said in a letter.

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