Odisha education textbooks spark scandal over Bollywood song inclusion

Schools in the Indian state of Odisha have faced controversy after a Bollywood song, "Nimbuda‑Nimbuda" from the film *Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam*, was printed in a class‑8 art education textbook. A similar error was found in a class‑5 English textbook where the same song appeared in the text.

State officials say the inclusion was a mistake. Education Minister Nityananda Gonda called the lapse "unacceptable" and announced that revised textbooks will be issued soon. Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi ordered an investigation, suspended several senior officials involved in textbook preparation, and formed committees to audit the curriculum. Opposition parties are demanding the education minister’s resignation. The controversy follows earlier criticism of Odisha’s textbooks, which were previously found to contain 1,678 errors, prompting further scrutiny of the state’s education policy.