"How relevant is the question to Biology?" asks Alok Bhatt in tweet.
A question in this year's Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) biology examination for Class 12 not only had the students foxed but has also caused something of a stir on social media. A Twitter user tagged Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar in a tweet asking if he was "aware of the question in today's Biology paper of class 12th about different cremation practise?"
The question under section D of paper reads:
"Public all over India is very much concerned about the deteriorating air quality in large parts of North India. Alarmed by this situation the Resident's Welfare Association of your locality organized an awareness programme entitled "Bury not burn". They invited you, being a biology student to participate.
(a) How would you justify your arguments that promote burying and discourage burning?" (Give two reasons)
(b) With the help of flow charts, one for each practice depict the chain of events that follow."
As many later pointed out, the question does not, specify whether it referred to a dead body - the conclusion some had jumped to.
"How relevant is the question to Biology?" asks Alok Bhatt in tweet he posted on April 5. He even posted a picture of the question paper.
The tweet has since collected quite a few reactions on Twitter.
While many have expressed anger over the question, others explained that it refers to leaves, and not dead bodies.
According to a report in
Deccan Herald, the Human Resource Development Ministry is looking into the matter. Mr Javadekar has also reportedly expressed his displeasure over the question.