Did SEBA Cross the Line? Netizens Furious Over Divisive Board Exam Question
The Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA), has found itself at the center of a heated controversy after a Class 10 social science exam question sparked outrage on social media. The question, which presented a hypothetical scenario of religious discrimination in government healthcare, has been slammed for being “divisive” and against India’s constitutional values.
The Controversial Question That Shocked Everyone
The social science exam, part of the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) 2025, included a question (No. 57) that asked students to analyze a scenario where a government hospital in a village provided free treatment only to Hindus while making people of other religions pay.
The exact wording of the question read:
"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 government take such measures in a country like India?"
Fury on Social Media: "Is This the Kind of Education We Want?"
The question quickly went viral after journalist Afrida Hussain shared a photo of the exam paper on X (formerly Twitter), with the caption:
"Is this the kind of education we want for our students? A Class 10 board exam question by SEBA asks whether the government can set up a hospital providing free treatment only to Hindus while others have to pay. Seriously? Why are students being exposed to divisive hypotheticals instead of learning about the equality and secularism protected by our Constitution?"
Is this the kind of education we want for our students? A Class 10 board exam question by SEBA asks whether the government can set up a hospital providing free treatment only to Hindus while others have to pay. Seriously? Why are students being exposed to divisive hypotheticals… pic.twitter.com/dwDOkB9FKJ
— Afrida Hussain (@afridahussai) February 27, 2025
The post exploded online, with thousands of people expressing shock and anger. Critics questioned why young students were being made to engage with communal hypotheticals instead of learning about India's core principles of equality, secularism, and justice.
Constitutional Experts and Educators Weigh In
Legal experts and educators have condemned the question, calling it a clear violation of constitutional principles.
- Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees equality before the law.
- Article 15 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion.
- Article 21 ensures the right to life, which includes access to healthcare without discrimination.
"This is not a matter of academic debate. This is a violation of the very foundation of India's democracy. A government institution cannot provide different services based on religion, and such questions should not be part of an educational curriculum," said Professor Sanjay Kumar, a political science expert.
Public Reactions: "Shocking, Unacceptable, Dangerous"
The outrage has not been limited to academics and legal experts. Parents, students, and activists have also slammed SEBA for allowing such a question in a high-stakes board exam.
- "Why is such a question even allowed? Our kids should be taught unity, not division." – A concerned parent.
- "This is an attack on secularism. Will SEBA take responsibility for shaping young minds with such dangerous narratives?" – Social activist Meghna Das.
- "It's 2025, and we are still debating the basic principles of our Constitution. Unbelievable!" – A student from Guwahati.
Will SEBA Respond? Calls for Accountability Grow Louder
As of now, SEBA has not issued an official statement regarding the controversy. However, with the growing backlash, many believe the board will be forced to clarify its stance and take responsibility for the question.
Education experts are also demanding strict scrutiny of future board exam papers to prevent such "communally charged" questions from appearing again.
The Bigger Question: What Are We Teaching Our Students?
This incident has reignited concerns about the role of education in shaping young minds. Instead of hypotheticals that could fuel division, experts suggest that students should be taught about India's real-life struggles for equality and justice, the importance of secularism, and the power of unity in diversity.
What do you think? Should SEBA be held accountable for this question? Share your thoughts!