Ain o Salish Kendra, ASK, has termed ‘obscene’ and ‘objectionable’ the manner in which the home economics textbooks of class nine and ten described proper dress code for adolescent girls.
However, some have defended the description saying that it’s necessary to make girls skilled and trained in grooming.
However, National Curriculum Textbook Board, NCTB, has said that if there are objections, then amending the curriculum can be taken into consideration.
NCTB chairman, Narayan Chandra Saha, avoided saying if he thought the subject in question is prejudiced or not.
Writers of the book say that with time, the language and representation change; therefore, any word or sentence found to be insensitive should be changed.
The section which raises so much controversy states that fair skinned girls look beautiful in all colours and underlines methods which can be adopted by dark-skinned women to lighten their tone.
Feminist leaders allege that some of the languages are suggestive and lurid.
There are sections in the book which suggest the cut of the blouse based on a varying degree of necklines along with the design of clothes to accentuate a flat chest or slim down a wide waist.
Syeda Saliha Salehin told Bangla Tribune, “The suggestions are aimed to make women portray their best physical attributes and give them a confident stride.”
The issue of colours based on skin tone is hardly prejudiced since girls need to know what will make them look the best, she added.
Acknowledging that amendments can be made, she observed, “Concepts change all the time, in the past, we used the term ‘disabled’ and now we use a person with special needs, so if needed, the language can change as per the demand of the time.”
Personally, I feel that one must learn which colour will suit one and which dress will make a person stand out in her best attributes, there’s nothing wrong in that.
Saying that the book has not been amended after 2013, NCTB chairman Narayan Chandra Saha, told Bangla Tribune, “The book will be reviewed in 2019 and then a decision taken.”