Haryana-SSC questions candidates on 'bad-omens,' then goes deeper into mess
What's the story
A peculiar question in the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC)'s test for junior engineers has riled several quarters. In the April 10 exam, a question had asked candidates to identify which of these is "not a bad omen in Haryana": an empty pot, a fuel casket, a 'black Brahmin,' or a Brahmin girl. This is just the first of several bizarre developments.
Information
If you were wondering, here's the answer
According to the answer key released by the HSSC, the correct answer to this, question number 75 in the test, is 'Brahmin girl,' which effectively means meeting a 'black Brahmin' may render your day unlucky.
Protest
Brahmins outraged, Congress takes the chance to lash out
Unsurprisingly, the Brahmin community is outraged. Many organizations have demanded an unconditional apology from the government for the "disgrace." They also held demonstrations in several places, demanding strict action against those involved. Congress leader Kuldeep Sharma said, "It's shocking that engineers are chosen on the basis of their level of superstition rather than skill." AAP's Haryana Chief Naveen Jaihind demanded the HSSC chairman's dismissal.
Twitter Post
'Blind orthodoxy and rank sexism has become DNA of BJP'
Obscurantism, blind Orthodoxy rank Sexism has become the DNA of BJP.
— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) May 5, 2018
Latest pearl of wisdom of Khattar Govt SSC in shape of question asked in J.E exam is derogatory demeaning to the hilt, not only to Brahmin community but to women per se. Reflects the BJP mindset. pic.twitter.com/lRVBhtGVTf
HSSC
HSSC has a weird defense, but assures action
The strangeness of the matter doesn't end here. In response, an HSSC spokesperson said the commission hadn't even gone through the questions, and the paper was opened for the first time in the exam hall. However, they have withdrawn the controversial question and issued a notice of regret, claiming the oversight was "inadvertent and unintentional." It assured appropriate action against the chief examiner.
Do you know?
Haryana Housing Board Chairman comes to BJP's defense, and how
Hold your breath for more incredulity. Haryana Housing Board Chairman and a close associate of CM Manohar Lal Khattar, Jawahar Yadav, defended: "The question was picked from a book by a private publication in 2012, when Congress was in power in Center and Haryana."
History
The Khattar government is a repeat offender in such matters
The Khattar government has often been in the soup for casteist, sexist and orthodox statements in publications. Last year, a government magazine described women's 'ghoonghat' (veil) as the "identity of the state." In April, a questionnaire for senior secondary students asked whether their parents indulged in 'unclean occupations.' The government continually endorsing such views harms the state's image even more.