Cartoons in textbooks: Are they unhealthy for students?

This is with reference to the current debate in the Parliament regarding the inclusion of cartoons in the Political Science textbooks of classes IX to XII. Since the issue is largely related to the process of teaching and learning in schools and concerns students like us, it is extremely important that our voices are heard and our viewpoints are taken into account. We therefore humbly request the Honourable Minister of Human Resource Development and the respected members of the Review Committee to take the following points into consideration: >Many of us have studied the Political Science textbooks and found that the cartoons are contextual and allow scope for discussion. They enable us to bridge the gap between abstract theoretical concepts like democracy, secularism, equality etc. and socio-political issues in real life. Thus the cartoons make the classrooms more engaging and lively. >We do not find any of the cartoons offensive or unduly critical of any of our national icons and leaders. Rather these cartoons allow us to become aware of the struggle which many of these leaders undertook vis-à-vis matters like marginalization, poverty, casteism etc. and the efforts they made towards nation building. For instance the Nehru-Ambedkar cartoon reflects the tremendous responsibility undertaken by Dr. B.R Ambedkar to accommodate the aspirations of various groups of people and the pressure on Nehru to draft the Constitution within a given time frame. Thus these cartoons do not make us apathetic towards politics or political leaders but help us to genuinely appreciate and respect our national icons. >We are already exposed to many of the current political debates through the media. Hence, when we look at the cartoons in the textbook, we can think rationally and interpret them critically. To assume that it would wrongly shape impressionable minds is uncalled for. >Lastly it should be kept in mind that we are the future citizens of India. In fact many of us would be voting in a few years. In order for us to take informed decisions it is very crucial that we initially get the right kind of exposure in the secure environment of a classroom under the guidance of our teachers. In view of the above, we strongly believe that the cartoons should remain as an integral part of the textbooks. We hope that our appeal is heard when arriving at a decision.