Mangalore: Committee expresses concern over saffronization of textbooks

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore

Mangalore, Sep 1: The committee against saffronization of textbooks in Karnataka on Saturday August 31 claimed that some 'objectionable' content has been found in social science textbooks of class 6 and 9.

Addressing the media at Hotel Woodlands, committee president Suresh Bhat Bakrabail said saffronization attempts have been made in the social science textbook of class 6 (1st and 2nd semester) and class 9 history textbook published in the current academic year (2013-14).

“It is not apt for Congress to continue the textbooks formed by the committee during the BJP rule. Even after a plea was made to the education minister, there was no positive response. Now, as the textbooks have already reached the students, order should be given to teachers not to teach wrong things to students and a new textbook committee should be formed,” he said.

“Chief minister Siddaramaiah speaks against saffronization but he was not serious about saffronization in textbooks. It is strange that Congress is least bothered even though they knew that BJP was engaged in saffronization of textbooks,” he added.

“The textbook committee did not follow the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2005 guidelines. The social science textbooks consist of pre-planned lessons, hence it will not help students. In most of the lessons, importance is given to Hindu history and rituals and they do not have lessons on women, backward classes and other necessary issues. In class 6 textbook, under fundamental rights, there are not many details about religious freedom, culture, educational rights and others; which means the textbook targets minority people. Overall, it looks like creators of the textbooks have tried to highlight the negative aspects of Christianity and Islam,” said Bakrabail.

“The issue of Catholic Church and its problem with Protestants is described in two pages. In class 9 social science textbook, there is lesson on Swami Vivekananda is mentioned but not about Dr Ambedkar, Dr S Radhakrishna, Jawaharlal Nehru and other prominent people,” he said.

Committee treasurer Nigel Pereira, Alwyn Colaco, Ramashesha Shetty, Walter Maben among others were present.