Donkeys better than wives: textbook

Herald Sun ^ | 4 april 2006

[Aussie Dasher]

A TEXTBOOK used at schools in the Indian state of Rajasthan compares housewives to donkeys, and suggests the animals make better companions as they complain less and are more loyal to their "masters", The Times of India reported today.

"A donkey is like a housewife ... In fact, the donkey is a shade better, for while the housewife may sometimes complain and walk off to her parents' home, you'll never catch the donkey being disloyal to his master," the newspaper reported, quoting a Hindi-language primer meant for 14-year-olds.

The book was approved by the state's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party Government but has sparked protests from the party's women's wing.

State education officials in Rajasthan, a western state known for its conservative attitude towards women, said people should not be upset by the comparison, the paper said.

"The comparison was made in good humour," state education official AR Khan was quoted as saying.

"However, protests have been taken note of and the board is in the process of removing it (the reference)."

[Aussie Dasher]

What if your wife is a donkey?

[Slings and Arrows]

What if your wife is a donkey?

You're married to Cynthia McKinney.

[RichInOC]

...dat you, Zarkman?

[sully777]

Donkeys are better than women...I believe THAT'S the most fairy tale I ever heard.

[sully777]

---

I meant to say 'most BEAUTFIUL' fairy tale I ever heard

[Allegra]

It's kind of borderline as to whether this qualifies as a Donkey Carts of Mass Destruction ping, so I figured I'd better cover my bases.

[tonycavanagh]

I asked the Indians in my office about this, it seems the Bharatiya Janata Party is well known for publicity seeking and will say or do things to maximize its publicity.

[Herakles]

Top Ten Reasons beer is better then women
10...You can have a beer in public.
9...When you go to a bar you can always pick up a beer
8...A beer wont get upset when you come home with beer on your breath.
7...You can enjoy a beer all month long.
6...A beer doesnt get jealous when you grab another beer.
5...You always know youre the first one to pop a beer.
4...You dont have to wash a beer before it tastes good.
3...A beer is always wet.
2...A beer always goes down easy.
1...You can share a beer with your friends.

and others;

http://www.killsometime.com/jokes/Joke.asp?ID=55

[TeddyCon]

For the man who likes a bit of variety...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4748292.stm

[Brian Allen]

<< What if your wife is a donkey? >>

Unless you're a Kiwi, eh, shaggs??

Baaaaaaaaaaaa a a a a a a a a .........

[Gamecock]

A TEXTBOOK used at Clemson University schools in the Indian state of Rajasthan compares housewives to donkeys, and suggests the animals make better companions as they complain less and are more loyal to their "masters",

[CarrotAndStick]

The book was approved by the state's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party Government but has sparked protests from the party's women's wing.

State education officials in Rajasthan, a western state known for its conservative attitude towards women, said people should not be upset by the comparison, the paper said.

"The comparison was made in good humour," state education official AR Khan was quoted as saying.

"However, protests have been taken note of and the board is in the process of removing it (the reference)."

Wait till they get to Shakespeare.

[CarrotAndStick]

Textbook likens donkey to housewife
Sanjay Singh Badnor
[ Tuesday, April 04, 2006 12:56:21 am TIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1475517.cms

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AJMER: Odious comparisons continue to be the bane of the harried Indian homemaker. The latest to pass an unflattering comment on her is the Rajasthan Education Board.

"A donkey is like a housewife. It has to toil all day and, like her, may even have to give up food and water. In fact, the donkey is a shade better, for while the housewife may sometimes complain and walk off to her parents’ home, you’ll never catch the donkey being disloyal to his master," says the board’s Class IX Hindi textbook.

The joke, if indeed there is one, hasn’t gone down well with activists, who have asked the state government to ban or delete the "objectionable" text, or be prepared to face an agitation.

Incidentally, the state is run by a woman Chief Minister, Vasundhara Raje Scindia.

Written by Gopalprasad Vyas, an eminent Hindi satirist and Padma Shri winner who died last year, the 'offending' chapter has attracted the ire of activists a year after it was introduced in the book.

Sources in the state education department, however, hold a different view.

"The same chapter also compares the donkey to politicians, calling the animal thick-skinned. There was objection to this line. The issue then boiled over and this issue was raked up as well," an official said.

State education board director of publications and academics A R Khan said the comparison was made in good humour, without any intent to hurt or humiliate.

"However, protests have been taken note of and the board is in the process of removing the chapter," he added.

---

©Bennett, Coleman and Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.

[shaggy eel]

... has sparked protests from the party's women's wing.

,,, there ya go! No sound of protest from the Party's donkey's wing.

[pax_et_bonum]

It's kind of borderline as to whether this qualifies as a Donkey Carts of Mass Destruction ping, so I figured I'd better cover my bases.

Rest assured that you did the right thing, Allegra.

One can never be too careful when considering subject matter of such significance.

;-)

[shaggy eel]

,,, why would Indian guys want wives when they have choices like this?

[shaggy eel]

BURP

[CarrotAndStick]

Cheers!

[Junior]

Depending upon her actions in a previous life, that may be exactly what she is...

[ovrtaxt]

Poor Cynthia... nothing a frontal lobotomy and a diet and eyesocket surgery and an extreme makeover and a decent hairdo and a Thorazine prescription and retirement won't fix.

She would make a fine wife!