Stopped using controversial textbook long time ago, clarifies Don Bosco school to Smriti Irani

New Delhi: In her fiery speech at Lok Sabha, Smriti Irani brought up about how the UPA had commissioned a book for class 4 written by Teesta Setalvad. She pointed out controversial parts of the book and said it was still being used by Don Bosco High School, Matunga.

However according to media reports, the school has now clarified that they stopped using the book over a decade ago. Father Bernard Fernandes, principal of the school, was quoted as saying,“These books were used by some of our schools on an experimental basis for a year.” The school authorities were reportedly surprised at how Irani procured a copy of the book.

The book courted controversy at the time with the Shiv Sena protesting against its use.

Smriti Irani, in her speech countering allegations of saffronisation in educational institutions, said that she would quit politics if any of the VCs accused her of it. She then gave several examples to show how the previous regime had tried to subvert the education process by giving several examples, the Don Bosco one being one among them. But going by the school authorities’ claim, the book had been withdrawn a while long time ago.