'Ram' given as option for puppy's name in question paper; Headmistress suspended for blasphemy

RAIPUR: A government school Headmistress has been suspended for allegedly blaspheming in an exam question paper. The incident took place in Chhattisgarh. The English question paper for the half-yearly examination for class IV students has become controversial. The question was 'What is the name of Mona's puppy?' The options given for this were Bala, Sheru, no one and Ram. The option Ram has led to controversy. The protesters allege that the puppy has been given the name of God.

The question paper was prepared by Shikha Soni, the headmistress of a primary school in Nakti district. Officials say disciplinary action has also been taken against Narmada Verma, who was the moderator of the question paper. Narmada, a contract employee, is likely to be dismissed.

The controversy started in Mahasamund district of Raipur division. Later, it spread to other districts. Action was taken against the teachers after a five-member inquiry committee was constituted to probe the matter.

Shikha Soni responded that the name Ram was due to an error made when the question paper was prepared. Shikha Soni explained that she meant Ramu, and 'Ram' was inadvertently printed instead due to the omission of the letter 'U'. Narmada Verma also replied that she had not noticed the incident.