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Question in Assam’s Class 10 exam sparks communal bias allegations, says minister — ‘nothing to get offended about’

After a section of social media users claimed that it promoted religious divisiveness, Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu responded by calling the debate “unnecessary.”

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The question carried three marks. (Representational Image)

A question in the Board of Secondary Education, Assam’s Class 10 social science examination caused a stir Friday, with a section of social media users calling it divisive. In response, the state’s education minister has claimed the question was meant to test if students knew that India is a secular country.

The question in SEBA’s social science examination for Class 10 students held Thursday asked: “Suppose, the government has set up a hospital in a village called Dambuk. The hospital provides free treatment to the Hindus. People of other religions have to bear the cost of treatment themselves. Can the government take such measures in a country like India? Give your opinion”.

The question carried three marks. After a section of social media users claimed that it promoted religious divisiveness, Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu responded by calling the debate “unnecessary.”

“The Preamble of the Constitution does not allow any discrimination. Without discriminating against anyone, we are carrying out the policy of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas’. Now, the question is to test whether students have that information or not, that in Assam, there is no discrimination allowed on the basis of religion, caste or language. There is nothing to get offended about or debate on,” he said.

Sukrita Baruah

Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges. Expertise and Experience Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts. Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities. Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East. Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for: Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms. Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More

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