printed word politics

The ongoing controversy over school textbook revision in Karnataka has taken many twists and turns. It began with the decision by many to add RSS founder KB Hedgewar’s speech in a revised textbook, and to omit or edit the text of several writers belonging to the progressive stream in Kannada literature and to edit material critical of Brahmanical traditions. Had it. , Students and Dalit and progressive organizations have opposed the “saffronisation” and “Brahminisation” of the curriculum. These events prompted more than 10 authors to withdraw permission to use their works in textbooks, while the government insisted that it was impossible to omit or modify any text as new books were already in print. and were partially distributed to the students. Questioning the credibility of the protesters, a group of BJP leaders retaliated.

However, the government was forced to change its stand when caste and religious organizations also started raising objections. Saints belonging to the powerful Veerasiva-Lingayat and Vokkaliga castes expressed dissatisfaction over some of the amendments and questioned the conduct of Rohit Chakratirtha, the head of the Textbook Revision Committee. The Veerasiva-Lingayats marked perceived distortions in the profile of the 12th-century social reformer Basaveshwara, such as omitting references to his rebellion against the Brahmanical system. Vokkaligas pointed to the alleged derogatory remarks of Sri Chakratirtha on Kannada litterateur Kuvempu and his sharing on social media. Nada Geete (State Anthem), which was written by Kuvempu.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai asked Primary and Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh to give him a report on the objections, and after lengthy deliberations, announced that the government had an “open mind” on changing content that “hurts sentiments”. Is. He said that some parts of Basaveshwar’s profile would be changed again keeping in view the objections raised and the allegations of distortion. Nada Geete will be examined. But he made it clear that there was no question of Hedgewar skipping the speech. The hundreds of objections raised against the ideological manipulation of historical facts show no sign of being considered by the government.

With assembly elections less than a year away, it is not difficult to guess why the political system, which is becoming more ideologically stronger, has defied the demands of the saints. While the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community (to which Mr Bommai belongs) is a significant vote base for the BJP, the party is hopeful of increasing its footprint in the Vokkaliga stronghold.

Interestingly, the origin of textbook revision can be traced to the objections of the Karnataka Brahmin Mahasabha that a text in earlier social science textbooks “hurt the sentiments” of the community, following which the revision committee was formed was.

For students, the revision of the textbook is the latest in a series of unfortunate political maneuvers affecting them. If the authorities’ claim that more than three-fourths of the books have already been printed and more than half have been distributed are true, then the logistical challenges involved in making the change again would be enormous. While the academic calendar was thrown out of gear by COVID-19 for two years, in Karnataka, the subsequent hijab controversy also spoiled the atmosphere.

The story highlights the importance of an established protocol for textbook revision. Those opposing the amendment have questioned the lack of academic credentials and methodology of the head of the panel. As long as there is no methodology with autonomy to the scholars involved in the practice, there is bound to be room for political manipulation in the classrooms.

Bageshree.s@thehindu.co.in