TEXT BOOKS are supposed to be factual as much as possible, and help students in acquiring information. Pakistani text books seem to have a different objective. Their books at the school level promote prejudice and intolerance towards Hindus and Christianity, as per a study by the US government commission, reported PTI.

When students are taught manipulated facts through text books, then they also will learn the same and the hatred will only increase. The two countries, India and Pakistan, after Independence, have always been at loggerheads with one another, and the text books in Pakistan only add fuel to fire.

Conclusion of this bias was reached after a study was conducted - reviewing more than 100 text books, which were taught from first to 10th standard. The researchers travelled around 37 schools talking to as many students and teachers as possible.

If one is taught about hatred for other countries and religions, it is obvious that people may opt for violent measures and fight against other nations, which has been their 'enemy' for many a years. The number of terrorists that are from Pakistan just substantiates the point put here. The educational system has to take the right shape, if Pakistan wants the negative image it is associated with, to go away.

In 2005, as reported by sacw.net, some of the lines in the Pakistani texts read, "Their (Muslim saints) teachings dispelled many superstitions of the Hindus and reformed their bad practices. Thereby Hindu religion of the olden times came to an end." Another read, "The British had the objective to take over India and to achieve this, they made Hindus join them and Hindus were very glad to side with the British. After capturing the subcontinent, the British began on the one hand the loot of all things produced in this area, and on the other, in conjunction with Hindus, to greatly suppress the Muslims." These lines were taken from standard VIII and V text books respectively.

As reflected by the recent US study, it is evident that nothing has changed as Pakistani school texts still have an attitude of hate, which has been going on for a long time - and has resulted in ingrainment of jihadist sentiments amongst vulnerable minds.