The cartoons featured in the textbook

Jamshedpur, Oct. 20: “Mere Paas Yojnae Hain, Ghoshnae Hai, Vaade Hai”, says a pot-bellied, middle-aged aspiring politician which earns him a punishment of being hanged upside down by the more powerful candidate, who arrogantly declares, “Ha, Mere Paas Vote Hai”.

This is just one of the many comic illustrations used in the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) social science book prescribed for students of Class IX.

NCERT books are followed in schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and even in institutions under the Jharkhand Board.

Priced at Rs 50, the book, which was introduced in the curriculum from the current academic session, comprises several examples where democracy and its fallacies have been mocked at in an attempt to make those who study them better citizens.

Some of the cartoons reflect the changes in politicians once they reach the summit: one of them shows empty promises falling off from the loaded bag of a politician only to be lapped up by the dog following him.

And the students love it.

“I particularly enjoy this caricature which depicts the reality in today's political scenario. People promise a lot of things which never materialise once they actually manage to become ministers,' said S.M. Samshqumar, a Class IX student at DAV Public School, Bistupur.

In the age of Rang De Basanti and the campaign for justice to Jessica and Priyadarshini Mattoo, the students believe the onus is on them to bring about a change in the system. The book, they say in its defence, is an eye-opener.

“It is essential that students get an accurate picture of the democratic system as it exists today and not a rosy portrayal when it comes to politics,' says Manisha Sinha, the social science teacher at DAV school.

However, admit teachers, the use of suggestive caricatures has not made their task easy. Though some feel that teaching through cartoons has made the classroom a more lively place with increased interaction, others suggest modifications as it gives them a distorted version of reality.

A senior teacher expressed reservation against the inclusion of a butter advertisement, which takes a dig at the quota controversy with the catchline, “Reserved for this outstanding butter classic”.

“This is in bad taste. The present working of democracy has been attacked in a ruthless manner and students gradually lose faith in the very system,” says Rana Pratap Singh, a teacher of social science.