Guwahati: Dhubri police seized 320 copies of a school grammar and essay book from a local bookstore on Wednesday following widespread outrage over factual errors regarding the Assamese Bihu festival. The raid targeted New Mohammadiya Pustakalay after the publication Sahaj Byakaran Rachana claimed the existence of 12 Bihus. This assertion triggered intense criticism from the public and local organizations who viewed the text as a distortion of regional cultural heritage.
Authorities detained the bookstore proprietor for questioning during the operation. When asked by police about the identity of the author, the owner claimed he was unaware of who wrote the textbook. This lack of accountability has intensified calls for a deeper investigation into the distribution of the material, which was intended for students in classes six through eight.
Utpal Sharma, president of the All Assam Students' Union, condemned the publication and demanded that both the author and the publisher face legal consequences. He described the error as an insult to Assam's traditions and insisted that those responsible for such misinformation be held accountable. The incident has ignited a broader conversation throughout the state regarding the quality and accuracy of educational materials involving cultural history.
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