Controversial DSSSB question: Delhi minister writes to Chief Secy for probe

Delhi minister Rajendra Pal Gautam Monday wrote to Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash seeking a probe into a controversial caste-based question in an examination to recruit primary teachers.

The minister for the department of Social Welfare, SC & ST said he has received a number of complaints from Scheduled Caste community members regarding "inappropriate use" of their caste.

The examination was conducted by the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB) on Saturday.

The multiple choice question number 61 in the Hindi Language and Comprehension paper used some derogatory terms for describing the Dalit community.

In a written communication to Prakash Monday, the minister said the question hurt the sentiments of thousands of candidates as well as the community at large.

"Accordingly, chief secretary, GNCTD (Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi), may enquire into the matter and fix responsibility for the lapse after thoroughly probing the role of paper setters and scrutinizers.

"A report may be submitted...regarding the action taken against the erring officials," Pal said.

Yesterday also the minister had issued a statement saying the services department, which is under the Lieutenant Governor, is the governing body of the DSSSB and should clarify what made them include such a "shoddy" question.

The DSSSB in a statement yesterday said the question with "casteist" undertones appeared due to an "inadvertent error".

"It is clarified that the procedure of paper setting is highly confidential and secretive in nature and the contents of the paper are not shared with the board officials. They are revealed for the very first time before the candidates only," it had said.

It said that the appearance of any such question which "may have unintentionally hurt the sentiments of any section of society is deeply regretted".

The DSSSB said the question would not be considered during the evaluation process.