Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh told News18.com, “If Congress is intent on bringing in ‘Italian Education Policy’, we will definitely replace it with ‘Nagpur Education Policy’.” He was reacting to the allegation of the opposition Congress that BJP Was trying to “saffronise” education in the southern state.
Speaking exclusively to News18.com, Nagesh explained the reasons behind the changes being made in the state syllabus of Karnataka. He called it an attempt to raise students’ awareness of the contributions of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) founder Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, freedom fighters such as Onake Obavva and Kittur Rani Chennamma among many others, and “did not glorify foreigners who robbed “And tried to change the culture of India”.
Karnataka Congress chief DK Shivakumar had said that the changes being made to textbooks by removing Hedgewar’s speeches, the introduction of the Bhagavad Gita, and chapters relating to Tipu Sultan, Periyar, or Sree Narayana Guru were part of the BJP’s attempt to saffronise education. were part of the efforts. ,
“We are trying to imbibe in our students various aspects of Indian cultural history, nationalism, and the need to read and gain knowledge about our great country, one of the oldest civilizations in the world. One The student should be inspired to read more about our country through his texts,” Nagesh said.
The minister said that the feudal system of education was being followed for many decades and the time has come to change it. He also refuted the allegations made by DK Shivakumar about the deletion of chapters related to Sree Narayana Guru and Bhagat Singh from school textbooks.
“We have not removed any chapter related to Narayan Guru, Periyar or Bhagat Singh. They are doing it just to make an issue,” he said.
The minister argued for the need to read and understand Dr Hegdewar’s speeches as a freedom fighter and nationalist. Nagesh said that both the Congress and the Communists, which ruled the country for decades, have buried nationalist ideologies and it is now necessary to make children aware of them.
He said that the speeches given by the RSS leader would create a sense of nationalism and pride for the country, which the children would expose through their textbooks.
Asked why the changes were being made now, Nagesh said the education department reviews the relevance of the subjects and chapters taught in schools every five years.
“We had books that earlier said that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Then there were Christian books that said the world was flat. Galileo was punished for declaring the goal. We believe that textbooks should give way to new ideas, challenge the thought processes of children and ensure that they stay updated while keeping the history and culture of India intact.
Alleging that the Congress was creating unnecessary issues regarding the changes being made, Nagesh questioned the party’s intention. He said that history books have many lessons like life and times of Akbar the Great, Indira and Rajiv Gandhi etc., which have been kept in history books.
“Why didn’t anyone challenge it? What was the relevance? When BJP makes changes they blame us? By adding Hedgewar’s speeches, we are creating an environment to inspire children, instill patriotism and understand ideology.
On inclusion of Hedgewar’s speeches, Nagesh said it was a supplementary text and not a part of the examination.
“We are not forcing anyone with any ideology. There’s nothing wrong with that. We have only presented his speeches to help young children choose the right role models for themselves.”
According to Nagesh, India’s rich history should be described from the right point of view and not from the eyes of an “outsider” like the British.
“East India Company came to India to do business and gradually they occupied our land and ruled us for almost a century. He tried to change the culture of our country and the thinking of our people and this is what our young generation is learning today. We are making that big change where we showcase India’s proud culture and scientific prowess,” explained Nagesh, claiming that the system still follows an archaic pattern set by the British and will have to change.
When asked why the works of progressive thinkers such as Kannada poet P Lankesh, ‘Lankesh Patrika’ founder-editor AN Rao and prominent Muslim Kannada writer Sara Abubakar were removed, the minister argued that there was a need to bring in such subjects. To enrich the culture of children.
“There is no specific reason behind deleting a chapter. The volume of the textbook cannot be changed. So to add something new, we have to remove something. That’s all. There is no ulterior motive,” he said.
Nagesh said that the Congress under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had removed many works of great Kannada writers and poets and there was no protest then.
The education department has re-introduced the works of several prominent authors, including Kuvempu (the first Kannada writer to receive the Jnanpith Award), who has worked extensively on children’s literature, and ‘Rashtrakavi’ M Govinda Pai.
Feather language disputeNagesh reiterated that the basics of education should be taught in the mother tongue.
“It can be any mother tongue. The NEP (National Policy on Education) is also very clear about which languages can be chosen by the students. They have the choice. What Amit Shah said was that if there is a choice between English and Hindi as a medium of communication, then English is not an Indian language,” Nagesh said.
He said that Sanskrit is one such language which unites all Indian languages and it also helps us to understand Indian culture (sanskriti) better.
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