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Madhya Pradesh: Exam question on ‘revolutionary terrorist’ sparks row

The question appeared in an exam of MA in political philosophy of Jiwaji University

Madhya Pradesh Minister for Higher Education Jitu Patwari | Facebook account of Jitu Patwari

The Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh has ordered a probe into the use of the term ‘revolutionary terrorist’ in a question paper of the MA in political philosophy course of Jiwaji University, Gwalior, that has caused a furore.

The controversial question on revolutionary terrorists | Supplied

The opposition BJP has attacked the state government in the matter and is seeking immediate and strict action against those responsible.

State Higher Education Minister Jitu Patwari has said that a probe has been ordered to find the persons responsible for including the question and action would be taken on the basis of the probe report. In a tweet in Hindi, the minister added, “Revolutionaries are never terrorists and terrorists are never revolutionary.”

The controversy erupted when a section of students in Guna district noticed the discrepant question and raised an objection. The question in the third semester examination of the MA in political philosophy course of Jiwaji University read, “Describe the activities of revolutionary terrorist. What is the difference between extremists and revolutionary terrorists?”

Taking objection, ex-chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted, “This is shameful and saddening. How can those people, whose sacrifice is allowing us to breathe in air of freedom, be called terrorists? I demand that the MP government should take immediate and strong action against those responsible.”

Several others also took to social media on the issue and brought the matter to the notice of Jitu Patwari. Patwari responded, saying that he has ordered a probe and action. He also tweeted a copy of the probe order by the additional secretary of the Madhya Pradesh department of higher education. The additional secretary has asked the additional director of the Gwalior region of the department to conduct the probe and submit the report in three days.