Posted on 04/04/2006 9:20:08 AM PDT by Abathar
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A textbook used at schools in the Indian state of Rajasthan compares housewives to donkeys, and suggests the animals make better companions as they complain less and are more loyal to their "masters," The Times of India reported Tuesday.
"A donkey is like a housewife ... In fact, the donkey is a shade better, for while the housewife may sometimes complain and walk off to her parents' home, you'll never catch the donkey being disloyal to his master," the newspaper reported, quoting a Hindi-language primer meant for 14-year-olds.
The book was approved by the state's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party government but has sparked protests from the party's women's wing.
State education officials in Rajasthan, a western state known for its conservative attitude toward women, said people should not be upset by the comparison, the paper said.
"The comparison was made in good humor," state education official A.R. Khan was quoted as saying. "However, protests have been taken note of and the board is in the process of removing it (the reference)."
There are so many directions I could go with this...
It was a satirical piece, in light jest. Wonder how they'll react when they get to Shakespeare.
Yeah, but can the donkey cook and wash your dirty socks? And how good can a donkey look in sexy lingerie, hmmmmm????????
yeah, but can donkeys give good foot rubs?
This is just too sick for words.
Good one; though I'm sure some donkeys would look pretty good compared to some women (Helen Thomas comes to mind).
If I waved this article around my wife would be all to happy to make the introduction: "Ass, meet ass."
Now it's politicians versus donkeys
http://www.ibnlive.com/article.php?id=7667§ion_id=4
Swati Vashishtha
CNN-IBN
Posted Sunday , April 02, 2006 at 09:19
Updated Sunday , April 02, 2006 at 17:49
Jaipur: A satirical comparison with Donkey's thick skins has sensitive politicians fuming in Rajasthan. Its politicians versus donkeys in Rajasthan.
A ninth standard book, which compares politicians with donkeys, has become a subject of serious offence for the legislators. With the Opposition Congress accusing the government of cultivating disregard for politicians through the book the issue has now turned into a political row.
If there is one animal the politicians in Rajasthan cannot stand it's the poor donkey. Uproar in the state Assembly is not about drought relief works or power crisis. It is about politicians being compared with donkeys that too in school lessons.
A chapter by satirist Gopal Prasad Vyas in this ninth standard book says 'like the Indian politicians donkeys too are very thick skinned'. The book goes on to say that 'while politician can be tamed only during election this is not the case with the humble donkey'.
Hari Mohan Sharma, MLA, Congress says, “Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and also Atal Bihari Vajpayee were dedicated to the nation and they are comparing our leaders with donkeys' skin.”
The Congress wants the government to do away with the lesson and punish those responsible.
But the government is neither in a position to justify the lesson nor agree with the Opposition.
“I have ordered an inquiry into the matter. There is a committee by Board of Secondary Education of Rajasthan, which will look into the matter and appropriate action will be taken by the government, “says Ghanshyam Tiwari State Education Minister, Rajasthan.
In Rajasthan where the country's biggest donkey fair is held annually, donkeys have been eyesores for politicians for years. The organisers of the fair, the people of Luniawas village, say politicians who are flattered by invites to inaugurate fairs are quick to make excuses for this one.
Now with the controversy over comparison of politicians with donkeys the old wounds are only likely to deepen.
I guess that where all the veils and burkas come in handy......LOL!
"In related news, a textbook author just committed suicide with the jawbone of an ass. Film at 11."
There's a Fire Chief in Mesa, AZ that might concur with you on this...
I see the Democratic Party will go to any lengths to promote itself anywhere in the world.
This is an insult to my name!!
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
Physician heal thyself
Can donkeys fetch beer? This seems to be a pretty important requirement around here! :-)
Make's ya feel all warm and fuzzy, don't it ;)
Personally, I like my critters cuz I can lock'em out of my room at nigth ;)
The ignorance on this board is unsettling...this was a hindu fundamentalist book not a muslim book...
This was as more of a satirical work than a "Hindu fundamentalist book".
And as per article, it was approved by a Muslim educational official of the state in question.
"The comparison was made in good humor," state education official A.R. Khan was quoted as saying.
Tee hee - peacebaby said ass.
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