Faux pas: class 3 book calls PoK 'Azad Kashmir'

In a faux pas, an exercise book prescribed for class three students at an Army school in Srinagar has depicted Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) as 'Azad Kashmir'.

In a faux pas, an exercise book prescribed for class three students at an Army school in Srinagar has depicted Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) as 'Azad Kashmir'.

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The controversy surfaced three days ago when it was found that the map practice exercise book for schools run by Army Education Welfare Society showed PoK as 'Azad Kashmir'.

"As soon as the discrepancy was noticed, the Society withdrew the books," sources in Army said today.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has, however, distanced itself from the controversy by maintaining that the exercise book in question was brought out by a private publisher and not of the NCERT which it prescribes for class one to class eight students.

When asked to comment on the faux pas, CBSE Chairman Vineet Joshi said the Board has "Nothing to do with it".

"We prescribe only NCERT textbooks for class one to eight students. This book which is being talked about is of a private publisher," he told PTI.

Asked to comment on the issue, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said, "if it was a deliberate act, then it is a very dangerous thing as Jammu and Kashmir is a sensitive area. Even if it is mistake, the Centre should look into the controversy...the Government of India should take immediate steps to check a repeat of such incidents."