How to report culturally insensitive content in UP school textbooks

1. Hook

You are sitting in a classroom in Kanpur or Noida, and the teacher starts the rhyme "Rain, Rain, Go Away." While it sounds harmless to some, you realize that for a country like India—where the monsoon is a lifeline for 10 crore farmers and a celebrated blessing in our traditions—teaching children to ask the rain to "go away" feels like a colonial mismatch. If you feel a part of the school curriculum in Uttar Pradesh (UP) is culturally insensitive, mocks local traditions, or is "anti-Indian," you don't have to just complain on Reddit. You have the legal right to demand a review of what is being taught in your school.

2. What the law actually says

In India, education is a concurrent subject, but the state of Uttar Pradesh has specific powers over what is taught in its schools. If you believe a poem or chapter insults Indian traditions or religious sentiments, several legal and administrative frameworks come into play.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023

If the content is severely offensive, the primary criminal statutes are:

• Section 299 of the BNS: This covers "deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs." It replaces Section 295A of the old IPC. While a nursery rhyme is unlikely to meet the "malicious intent" bar for a criminal case, this is the section often cited when challenging public content.
• Section 196 of the BNS: This deals with "promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony." This replaces Section 153A of the IPC.

UP Basic Education Act, 1972

The Uttar Pradesh Board of High School and Intermediate Education and the UP Basic Education Board have the authority to prescribe courses and textbooks. Under Section 13 of the UP Basic Education Act, 1972, the State Government has the power to issue directions to the Board regarding the curriculum. If a textbook is found to be against "public interest" or "national integration," the government can order its withdrawal.

The National Curriculum Framework (NCF)

The NCF 2023, developed by NCERT, emphasizes "rootedness in India" and "pride in India's rich cultural heritage." If a textbook goes against these guidelines by promoting Western-centric views that clash with local ecological or cultural realities (like treating rain as a nuisance), it can be challenged for non-compliance with the NCF.

Constitutional Duty

Under Article 51A(f) of the Constitution of India, it is a fundamental duty of every citizen to "value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture." This provides you the standing to represent your concerns to authorities.

3. Step-by-step playbook

If you find a poem like "Rain Rain Go Away" or any other content offensive in a UP school, follow these steps to trigger a formal review.

Step 1: Document the evidence

Before making a noise, get your facts straight. You need to prove that the content is being taught officially.

• What to do: Take a clear photo of the textbook cover (showing the publisher and edition) and the specific page containing the content.
• What to bring: Note down the ISBN number of the book and whether it is a private publisher or a government-issued (SCERT/NCERT) book.
• Timeline: 1 day.

Step 2: File a representation with the School Principal

Every school has an Internal Quality Assurance Cell or a curriculum committee. Start here.

• What to do: Write a formal letter to the Principal. State that the content (e.g., the rhyme) contradicts Indian cultural values where the monsoon is worshipped. Cite Article 51A(f).
• What to upload/submit: A copy of the photo you took in Step 1. Request them to replace the content with an Indian alternative (like a Varsha Mangal poem).
• Expected timeline: 7 to 14 days for a response.
• If it fails: If the school ignores you, move to the district authorities.

Step 3: Complain to the DIOS or BSA

In Uttar Pradesh, school oversight is handled by two main officers:

• BSA (Basic Shiksha Adhikari): For classes 1 to 8.
• DIOS (District Inspector of Schools): For classes 9 to 12.
• What to do: Visit the office of the BSA/DIOS of your district (e.g., Lucknow, Varanasi, or Ghaziabad). Submit a written complaint stating that the school is using "culturally insensitive" material.
• Legal hook: Mention that the content violates the NCF 2023 guidelines on "rootedness in India."
• Timeline: 30 days.

Step 4: Use the UP Jansunwai (IGRS) Portal

The Integrated Grievance Redressal System (IGRS) or Jansunwai is the fastest way to get the UP Chief Minister’s office to look at your issue.

• What to do: Register on the portal. Select the "Education Department" and upload your complaint and the textbook photos.
• Expected timeline: You will receive a tracking number immediately. A report is usually filed by the department within 15–22 days.

Step 5: File an RTI to the SCERT UP

If you want to know why this content was approved in the first place, use the Right to Information Act.

• What to do: File an RTI online addressed to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Uttar Pradesh.
• What to ask: "1. Provide the minutes of the meeting where the textbook [Name] was approved for the 2025-26 session. 2. Provide the guidelines used by the review committee to ensure cultural sensitivity as per NCF 2023."
• Timeline: 30 days. This forces the department to look at the file.

Step 6: Legal Notice or FIR (The Last Resort)

If the content is deeply offensive (e.g., insulting a deity or a specific community), you can escalate to a legal level.

• What to do: Consult a lawyer to send a legal notice to the publisher and the school. Alternatively, if it meets the criteria for "outraging feelings," you can how to file an FIR under Section 299 of the BNS.
• What to do if it fails: If the police refuse to register the FIR, use Section 173(4) of the BNSS to send the complaint to the Superintendent of Police (SP).

For more ways to influence local governance, browse all civic-action guides.

Where it usually breaks

Even with a solid case, the system often defaults to "ignore mode." Here is where your complaint might get stuck and how to push it through:

1. The "Minor Issue" brush-off

The School Principal or the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) might tell you that "it's just a nursery rhyme" and not a "real" legal violation. The Workaround: Don't argue about feelings; argue about the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023. The NCF explicitly mandates that education must be "rooted in the Indian context." If the content portrays an Indian lifeline (rain) as a nuisance to be sent away, it violates the "rootedness" requirement. Quote the NCF 2023 guidelines on "Value Development" and "Cultural Rootedness."

2. The Private Publisher Escape

If the book is from a private publisher, the school might claim they have no control over the content. The Workaround: Under the UP Self-Financed Independent Schools (Fee Regulation) Act, 2018, schools have specific accountabilities. More importantly, every private school in UP requires an NoC (No Objection Certificate) from the state board. File a complaint on the UP Jansunwai (IGRS) portal specifically naming the school for "promoting content contrary to National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and NCF 2023."

3. The "Action Taken" ghosting

You file a complaint on the Jansunwai portal, and the department closes it saying "the matter is being looked into" without actually changing anything. The Workaround: Use the RTI Act, 2005. File an RTI to the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), UP, asking for the "Action Taken Report" (ATR) on your specific complaint number. Knowing that a paper trail is being created usually forces a mid-level officer to actually read your file.

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Templates / script

A. Formal Complaint to the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS)

Subject: Formal Objection against culturally insensitive content in [Textbook Name], Grade [X].

To, The District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), [Your District, e.g., Lucknow/Meerut], Uttar Pradesh.

Sir/Madam,

I am writing to bring to your notice a violation of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 and Article 51A(f) of the Constitution in the textbook "[Book Name]" (ISBN: [Number]) published by [Publisher Name], currently being taught at [School Name].

The content on page [Number] features the rhyme "Rain, Rain, Go Away." In the Indian context, where the monsoon is a vital ecological and cultural blessing, teaching children to pray for rain to "go away" is culturally insensitive and contradicts the NCF 2023 mandate for "India-centric" education.

I request you to:

1. Issue a directive to the school to supplement this with Indian rain-celebration poems (e.g., Varsha Mangal).
2. Review the publisher’s alignment with NCF 2023 guidelines.

Regards, [Your Name] [Your Phone Number]

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B. RTI Text (to be filed on rtionline.up.gov.in)

Public Authority: Directorate of Basic Education, UP.

Text of Application:

1. Provide a copy of the guidelines issued by the UP Basic Education Board for the screening of content in textbooks used by private schools for the academic year 2025-26.
2. Provide the status of the complaint filed via Jansunwai Portal (Reference No: [Your Number]) regarding culturally insensitive content in [Book Name].
3. Provide the names of the members of the State Curriculum Committee responsible for approving/reviewing primary school textbooks for the current session.

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C. Script for calling the CM Helpline (1076)

"Namaste, mera naam [Name] hai. Main [District] se bol raha/rahi hoon. Mujhe ek school textbook ke content ke baare mein shikayat karni hai jo NCF 2023 ke guidelines ke khilaaf hai. [School Name] mein 'Rain Rain Go Away' jaise rhymes padhaye ja rahe hain jo hamari sanskriti mein varsha (rain) ke mahatva ko chhota dikhate hain. Maine school ko likha par koi action nahi hua. Please meri complaint Basic Education Department ke senior officers ko forward karein."

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FAQs

1. Is "Rain Rain Go Away" actually illegal?

No, it is not "illegal" in the sense that the police will arrest the publisher immediately. However, it can be deemed "non-compliant" with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and NCF 2023. These policies are the standard for what is allowed in Indian classrooms. If content is found to be culturally disconnected or "anti-Indian" in its outlook, the State Board has the power to de-recognize that specific book.

2. Can I file an FIR under Section 299 of the BNS?

Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals with "deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings." Unless you can prove the publisher specifically intended to insult a religion, an FIR will likely be refused. It is much more effective to pursue the administrative route (DIOS, SCERT, or Jansunwai) for "educational non-compliance" rather than a criminal route.

3. What if the school threatens to expel me for complaining?

Retaliation for exercising your fundamental duty under Article 51A is a serious matter. If a school threatens you, immediately file a complaint with the Uttar Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (UPSCPCR). Schools cannot penalize students or parents for raising legitimate concerns about the curriculum.

4. How long does the review process take?

Once a formal complaint is lodged with the DIOS or on the Jansunwai portal, the department usually seeks a response from the school within 15 days. However, changing a textbook usually happens at the start of the next academic session (April). Your goal is to get a "Circular" issued by the DIOS in the interim.

5. Does this apply to CBSE/ICSE schools in UP?

Yes. While CBSE/ICSE are central boards, the physical schools operating in Uttar Pradesh must follow state government regulations regarding "local sensitivity" and must possess a state-issued NoC. The UP government has the power to intervene if the content is deemed prejudicial to national integration or local culture.

6. Are there any fees involved?

Filing a complaint with the School, DIOS, or on the Jansunwai portal is free. If you file an RTI, the fee is ₹10. If you are from a BPL (Below Poverty Line) family, the RTI fee is waived upon providing proof.

7. What is the "Lalita Kumari" judgment and how does it help?

If you decide to report a more serious violation (like content that promotes communal hatred) and the police refuse to register your complaint, you can cite Lalita Kumari vs. Govt. of UP (2014). The Supreme Court ruled that police must register an FIR if the complaint discloses a cognizable offence. For textbook rhymes, however, stick to the DIOS first.