FIR filed against '36-24-36' book author

Taking strong action against the indecent depiction of women in a physical education textbook for Class XII, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on Saturday filed an FIR with the Delhi police against the publisher under Section 6 (indecent representation of women (Prohibition) Act, 1986).

The textbook titled 'Health and Physical Education', authored by Dr VK Sharma and published by Delhi-based New Saraswati Publication, stated, 36-24-36 as the "best" female body shape. The issue was brought to light when a user tweeted about it on Tuesday, which led to outrage on social media.

The move came after the Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar called the book "sexist" and ordered action in the matter. The Board also set up a committee, which reviewed the content and said that the book is not in consonance with the spirit of the syllabus and the text in question has no context even as the publishers had already announced that they have "stopped printing, selling and distribution of the revised book with immediate effect."

On the complaint of CBSE officials, an FIR has been registered against the author and publisher. Investigations are underway," said DCP, PRO, Madhur Verma.