Distorted J&K map in prospectus lands Katihar Medical College in trouble

Close on the heels of the uproar over a Pakistani girl’s photo on the cover of notebooks distributed among schoolchildren of Jamui district as part of a cleanliness drive, another controversy has surfaced in Bihar with the 2018-19 prospectus of Katihar Medical College (KMC) depicting a wrong and curtailed map of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

The college is run by Ahmad Ashfaque Karim, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha in March this year on a ticket given by Lalu Prasad-led RJD. Soon after the controversy, Katihar district magistrate (DM) Punam ordered an FIR in this connection.

“An FIR has been lodged against the college management at Mufassil police station following the DM’s order. The matter is being probed,” said Katihar subdivisional officer (SDO) Neeraj Kumar.

Subdivisional police officer (SDPO) Anil Kumar said the incomplete Kashmir map was printed on the cover of the KMC prospectus. “When we enquired about it, the college management said they had written to the printing press about the mistake,” the SDPO added.

KMC administrative officer Md Parwez Shams admitted that it was a blunder. “As soon as it came to our notice, we wrote to the press where it was printed. We’re recalling all the prospectuses sold so far,”

Ashfaque Karim could not be contacted despite several attempts.

Meanwhile, political parties have also demanded a proper investigation into the incident. “We want a thorough probe into the matter,” Purnia BJP MLA Vijay Khemka said. Even local JD(U) leaders have demanded a probe.