Cartoon? What cartoon?

HYDERABAD: The controversy over the Ambedkar cartoon in political science textbooks for Classes IX to XII ruffled the feathers of politicians in Parliament and forced Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal to recall the books. But what do students themselves think about this? “It is no big deal,” that’s the majority opinion. However, a few students agree that it was unnecessarily printed in the textbooks.“I remember seeing the cartoon in my Class IX Civics textbook,” recalls Aishwarya Vikay Kumar, an alumni of Chinmaya Mission. “I don’t think the cartoon in anyway will affect the way I perceive the political system in the country. It’s fine to just laugh over things sometimes and not try to dig deep into what else can the cartoon mean. I guess none of us will form an adverse opinion against Ambedkar by just looking at a cartoon. It is not going to make any difference if they are going to publish it or not,” she points out.Sai Sushmita Rayaprolu, a Class XII student, trashes the entire controversy.“I don’t even remember if that cartoon was published in our books! Why is it such a big deal now? We respect our leaders and such cartoons will not change that,” she says.While her friend Bhavna Gwanani believes the cartoon does not reflect anything bad. “We never gave much attention to it. And cartoons are one’s own expression of things. Why will that influence people in any case?” she questions.But a few students do find it objectionable.Namrata Peddi, a student of a corporate college, who did her schooling at Chinmaya, says, “I like the way cartoons help in easy understanding of things. But, If it comes to leaders like BR Ambedkar, I don’t think such cartoons should be published. It is indeed pretty insulting. He should have not been depicted that way.”Anirudh Kulkarni, also a CBSC pass-out, agrees that freedom of expression should have limitations. “People can share a laugh about anything. But, when it comes to leaders who have been great contributors for the development of one’s country, I don’t think one should get offensive about it.”