Union human resource development minister Kapil Sibal on Monday stated that the publisher of a Class 4 textbook has tendered a public apology for depicting Prophet Mohammed and has withdrawn the book that had triggered protests across Uttar Pradesh.

IBNA: According to news, clarifying the issue Mr Sibal stated that additional secretary and officiating chief executive and secretary, the Council for Indian School Certificate Examination has in a letter dated June 27 already submitted that the Council does not prescribe or recommend text books except in English and regional languages. “It has also informed that the publisher of the book (Active Publishers, Garh Road, Meerut, UP) has tendered a public apology and same has already been published in the local newspapers in Lucknow,” sources stated. The CISCE is a private and independent school examination board registered under the Societies Registration Act. 

The publisher has also conveyed to CISCE that he has met the concerned complainants and personally apologised to them.
Mr Sibal pointed out that CISCE has further informed the HRD ministry that the publisher has withdrawn the book from the market. 

“The books in hand will also be withdrawn once the school reopens after summer vacation,” the minister added.

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