UDUPI/BENGALURU: Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said that primary and secondary education minister B C Nagesh will, on Thursday, submit a comprehensive report on textbook revision following which a suitable decision will be taken on the issue.
“Our government will respond to the demand of litterateurs who are opposing the revision of textbooks and, if need be, it will be discussed with the writers,” Bommai said in Udupi on Wednesday.
The CM said that he has sought a detailed report as several voices have raised objections to revision in textbooks. Several authors, a few seers, and others have already written to the CM to take action on the controversy. “The education minister has been asked to submit a detailed report with complete facts. A suitable decision will be made after getting the report. We will get the report tomorrow and it will be discussed with the writers. Opinions of seers and other scholars, too, will be considered,” he told reporters here.
A section of seers had alleged that social reformer Basavanna’s teachings had been distorted in the revised Kan- nada and social science textbooks for Class X students.
Basava Jaya Mrutunjaya Swamiji of Koodalasangama had stated that Basavanna’s principles are being “disrespected” in the revised textbooks. He claimed that a misinterpreted version was given in the revised textbook about Basavanna leaving the house.
Sanehalli-based Taralabalu branch mutt seer Panditaradhya Shivacharya Swamiji wrote to the CM saying either correct the mistakes about Basavanna in the Class 9 revised textbook or continue with the old version. He said the book mentions that Vachana poets reformed Veerashaiva religion. The seer pointed out that it was Basavanna who introduced the Lingayat religion.
Will talk to authors who wanted to drop works from textbooks: CM
Earlier, Adi Chunchanagiri mutt seer Nirmalananda Swami wrote to the CM demanding action against Rohith Chakrathirtha, head of the Karnataka Textbook Revision Committee. Many Vokkaliga leaders have accused the review committee of insulting poet Kuvempu’s state anthem.
When queried about eight authors asking the government to drop their writings from the revised textbook because of addition s and deletions made by the textbook revision committee, the CM said he will look into all the letters. “Their move will be based on our future decision on revision of textbooks. I will also talk to those a uthors who have asked to drop their literary works from textbooks. I will consider the versions of Vokkaligas and Lingayats, get the report and take a decision,” he said.
On reports of growing corr uption, Bommai said the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has been strengthened. “ Though we have the Lokayukta, it was not possible to file a complaint with the watchdog under the Prevention of Corruption Act. However, the ACB has the power to do that,’’ he noted.
Reacting to the issue of love-jihad concerns in the coastal region again, Bommai said, laws have been framed to tackle it. To a query on a viral photo of vermicelli being left to dry in front of the west gate of Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, the CM said he has directed the Belagavi district admin istration to conduct a probe and initiate action.
