"Loyal" donkeys better than wives, says textbook

Reuters Yahoo ^ | Tue Apr 4

[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)."

[najida]

Help me here,
I read the article, and I keep seeing Hindu mentioned. Where does it say he's a Muslim education official? (not being contentious, I just can't seem to find that).

[stormlead]

How are you certain that A.R. Khan is Muslim? To the best of my knowledge, the name Khan has political, as opposed to religious, origins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khan).

[peacebaby]

yes, she did...

she says the F word, too, on occasion...especially in rush hour traffic.

[najida]

India doesn't have burkas and veils.

That's the Middle East.

[BossLady]

I know....I was making a joke....because poster used the Helen Thomas card.....

Saris are quite sexy.....still cannot picture a donkey in one....

[najida]

The ignorance is par for the course.
a. India is South Asia.
b. It's primarily Hindu (as in the article).
c. The customary dress is very different-- with articles like saris, cholis etc as part of the dress. No burkas, no veils.
d. The the India language and subsequent accent is very different from that of the ME.
e. And to really put a stick in the fire, each country of the ME has a different dress, language or at least dialect.

Geez, this goes right up there with "Them there dark skinned folks all look alike."

[najida]

I love saris. I fact, I buy them now instead of regular fabric. I wish we had fabrics like that here :)

[CarrotAndStick]

'Khan' is a Mughal-origin, Muslim surname, commonly used in India.

Only Muslims in India have Khan as a surname.

[CarrotAndStick]

'Khan' is a Mughal-origin, Muslim surname, commonly used in India.

Only Muslims in India have Khan as a surname.

[Dashing Dasher]

Tee hee - peacebaby said ass.

[BossLady]

I so agree! I had some pillows and a screen made from some saris a friend brought back on a trip to India. Gorgeous! The tapestries are also stunning!

[Chanticleer]

Snicker snicker - it's in the Bible! My kids go hysterical when we sing What child is this? at Christmas and get to the part that says where ox and ass are feeding.

[najida]

Thank you :)

[Chanticleer]

They also giggle at Don we now our gay apparel.

[CarrotAndStick]

Saris are quite sexy...

Indeed!

[CarrotAndStick]

You're welcome!

[kenavi]

Written by Gopalprasad Vyas, an eminent Hindi satirist and Padma Shri winner..., the 'offending' chapter has attracted the ire of activists a year after it was introduced in the book.

"In retaliation, Mrs. Vyas swore off sex with the writer the remainder of his days, leading him to write the classic Hindi tear-jerker: 'Whose Sari Now?'."

[Dashing Dasher]

Don we now our Gay Apparel!

Fa LA LA LA LA LA LA!

[Maximus of Texas]

And they're good at keeping coyotes away.

[Dashing Dasher]

And they can help with things around the house.