A team of experts has determined that various illustrations and chapters in school textbooks in Rajasthan "reinforce male dominance," with stories of courage and bravery revolving around male characters, while relegating women to the "domestic sphere."
Earlier this year, academics determined that school textbooks in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Rajasthan were being saffronised.
Now, a report prepared by academics based in Delhi and Jaipur says women are introduced in reference to men in school textbooks, The Times of Indiareported today.
Devyani Bhardwaj, an academic in the team of experts, told TOI that a class VIII chapter on Sant Kanwar Ram, a Sindhi poet, "states that a woman's duty is to follow her man." "The entire chapter reflects male dominance," she said.
The Class VI chapter on Gulab Singh, the founder of the Dogra dynasty, according to Bhardwaj, "sends a clear message that girls are not the first choice when it comes to portraying bravery or courage."
Rajeev Gupta, former professor at Rajasthan University, told TOI that the "role of women as a leader, administrator, and policy maker is not at all highlighted."