BENGALURU: Controversies on textbook content and the deletion of historic personalities are common whenever there is a change of government. But this one has even caught Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unaware after the education department reportedly asked aided and government schools to buy copies of a book eulogizing the life and achievements of the CM!
The book, Itta Guri Ditta Hejje (Set Goals, Farsighted Decisions) edited by a private organisation called Kannada Sahitya Vedike, highlights Mr Siddaramaiah's political growth and the achievements of his government in three years. One of the articles by Kannada writer, S.S. Marulaiah, compares Siddaramaiah to former CM, late Devaraj Urs who had worked out schemes for the poor and downtrodden in the late 70s.
The 342-page book has contributory articles by 41 writers including journalists, social activists and Kannada litterateurs and was released in Bengaluru a few months ago. Mr Tumakuru Mahadevaiah is chief editor of the book, priced at Rs 300.
On January 21, 2016, then Primary and Secondary Education Minister Kimmane Rathnakar had issued an order instructing director, Department of Public Libraries, to buy the book and distribute two copies each to government/aided primary and high schools. The minister said there was a request from Karnataka Sahitya Vedike, Bengaluru to buy copies and distribute them among school libraries.
Based on this order, a circular was sent to all deputy directors of public instruction to ask school authorities to immediately pay '600 for buying two copies. On March 28, 2016, the director, primary education, even issued an official reminder in this regard, as per the instruction of then commissioner of public instruction.
This circular has now kicked up a row with opposition parties slamming the CM for ‘pressurizing’ the department concerned to buy a book on him and his government.
While the CM pleaded ignorance on any such circular, primary and secondary education minister, Tanvir Sait and principal secretary, education department, Ajay Seth said a committee has been constituted to look into the controversy. "After receiving the report, we will take action," they said.
Journalists who co-authored book to be awarded
Interestingly, two journalists who contributed to this book, Gangadhar Mudaliyar and G.N. Mohan will be getting the T.S.R Award and Development Journalism Award on July 1. A few of the writers who contributed to this book are former colleagues of the chief minister's media advisor Dinesh Aminmattu.
When contacted, Mr Mudaliyar said he had never praised Mr Siddaramaiah and had actually criticized him for claiming to be the torch bearer of the Ahinda Movement, when the 'Dravida' movement had been launched in Tamil Nadu many decades ago.
"Mr Tumakuru Mahadevaiah wanted me to contribute an article. So I wrote about the 'Anna Bhagya' scheme launched by C.N. Annadurai, former CM of TN, a few decades before Mr Siddaramaiah launched the same scheme in Karnataka". He also denied lobbying for the award and said he had been selected by a panel headed by a retired judge.
