Amid escalating unrest over beef consumption across the country, Haryana Education Department’s monthly magazine has mentioned “ beef” as one of the best sources to enhance body's iron absorption.
In a major fauxpas, Haryana’s bi-lingual magazine Shiksha Saarthi which contains articles in Hindi and English and is published and printed by “President, Shiksha lok Society-cum-Director, Haryana Secondary Education” has included “beef” besides “veal” (meat of young cows) among four “enhancers” which “directly affect absorption of iron in human body”.
Ironically, Haryana has the strictest legislation in the country against cow slaughter.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar, who had recently courted controversy saying that Muslims should give up eating beef if they want to live in India, is the chief patron of the body publishing the magazine with Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma as the patron.
While the mistake in the monthly magazine has left the ruling BJP led State Government embarassed, the opposition also did not miss an opportunity to take a dig at the ruling party over the issue.
After the controversy erupted over the mistake, the online September edition of the 52-page magazine “Shiksha Saarthi” has been removed from the official website of the Haryana Primary Education Department, though the latest edition of October 2015 and editions till August 2015 are still available on the website.
The online edition of the magazine, however, is still available on the official website of the Secondary Education Department.
The magazine in its initial pages carries a disclaimer saying the views mentioned are of the contributors and it was not necessary that the Department agrees with the views. Beef was mentioned along with lamb, veal and pork as enhancers with other animal food in an article titled "Iron-vital for strength" in one of its chapters in September edition.
The article also details the importance of iron as "one of the important micro-nutrient which is required for human body on a daily basis and elaborates on the ill-effects of iron deficiency, its impact on health and various sources of iron.
The magaizne ‘Shiksha Sarthi’ is circulated among students and teachers of all government schools in the state. The magazine also covers issues related to education news, food and nutrition, teaching methodology, and achievements of various schools, among other subjects.
Presently, there are around 14,500 Government schools in Haryana and the magazine is circulated among most of them.
Commenting over the issue, Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma on Thursday said that such things should not have been published in the magazine.
While talking to the mediapersons , he said that Editor of the magazine, Dr Deviyani Singh has been suspended for the mistake.
“We have been told the magazine has quoted some study of the scientists to name the food enhancers.This is unfortunate and government has nothing to do with this,” the Minister added.
Notably, for the "protection and upkeep" of cows, Haryana Assembly had passed a Bill which clamps a complete ban on cow slaughter in the State and provides for a rigorous imprisonment ranging from three years to ten years for killing the animal. Haryana 'Gauvansh Sanrakshan and Gausamvardhan' Bill, 2015, which also provides for a fine from Rs30,000 to Rs1 lakh, was passed by the Assembly on March 16.