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New Delhi, An Indian publisher faced widespread criticism after listing Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, among the “most evil persons” in a curriculum book for primary school students.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the book, published by Connecter Books, was designated for class 6 students in several schools in New Delhi. The book, titled “That’s Right,” teaches General Knowledge and Current Affairs. The section on Ayatollah Khomeini reads, “He was the religious leader of Iran from 1979 to 1989. But during his reign, he did many evil deeds. He used to kill people who didn’t believe in ‘Allah.’ People had to face brutality even if they listened to music. He was the culprit behind the Iranian revolution and also the Iran-Iraq war, making him responsible for the deaths of millions of people.”
The publisher apologized following the public outcry, but the incident is viewed as part of growing Islamophobia in India. The depiction of Ayatollah Khomeini in such a negative light has drawn condemnation from various Muslim organizations, including the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, which has called for strict action against the publisher.
In response, Kashmiri religious groups also criticized the portrayal of Ayatollah Khomeini. Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi, President of Anjuman Sharie Shian, and Maulana Masroor Abbas Ansari, President of the Itehadul Muslimeen, released separate statements in Srinagar expressing outrage over the book’s depiction of the esteemed figure and founder of the Islamic Revolution.
The religious leaders urged people to boycott books published by Connecter Books and called for public accountability for the offensive portrayal. This incident has added to concerns about the spread of Islamophobia and the negative targeting of Islamic figures in Indian educational materials.