Click to play videoJaipur: 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.
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