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Moral brigades oppose sex education
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Rubina Khan Shapoo, Anjali Doshi
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 (Mumbai, Bhopal)
The latest threat to India's culture has come from the country's moral police, who are worried that sex education, that's actually part of an anti-AIDS course, is threatening the moral fabric of India's youth.

It's a crusade that has united from Islamic radicals in Maharahstra to BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, who want no sex education.

It's not the most sophisticated course - the emphaisis of the UNCIEF-backed course material meant as part of an AIDS awareness project - is a little too biological for today's sexually aware young adults.

But the argument against it is equally absurd.

"The need is for value-based education, for training in yoga, for culture-based education. That's why we are not going to give sex education anymore. We don't need it. We need yoga," said Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh.

In Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho - a temple of love in its most erotic form - is the USP of the state tourism. But ironically sex education in school is a complete no no.

AIDS patients

The protests leave little room for facts - 40 per cent of AIDS patients in Madhya Pradesh are young in the age group of 21 and 30.

But who cares about facts, when Indian culture is in peril!

"The BJP has always been influenced by the Sangh Parivar. And Sangh Parivar has always invariably misunderstood the Indian culture. This is Sangh Parivaar talking, not the education department," said Anil Sadgopal, educationist, Madhya Pradesh.

But it's not just Sangh morality. Across the border in Maharashtra, the same course has sparked the same debate, bringing together an unlikely coalition of protestors.

The Islamic radicals in the state say the course will encourage AIDS.

"This course doesn't encourage good moral behaviour. It encourages AIDS," said Firoze Patel, Students' Islamic Organisation of India.

"If you're telling children about terrorism you don't actually teach them how to hold a weapon and face a terrorist. So in this sexual education programme, why should they say use a condom?" said Pratiba Naitthani, Professor, St Xavier's College.

The NCP has also come up with the most compelling logic.

"Children will become curious. Nobody will want to study history, geography or math. They'll only want sex education," said Vidya Chavan, NCP activist.