Karnataka: Forum Wants Textbook On Third Language Kannada Withdrawn By Ncert, Alleges ‘Cultural Bias’
The textbook does not reflect the social and cultural diversity of Karnataka. The richness of its folklore, literature and lifestyle traditions has been completely ignored”: Prof Niranjanaradhya
BENGALURU: The Class 6 third language Kannada textbook of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) came under fire from educational experts and civil rights members alleging the textbook “Krishna” of cultural bias and selective cultural framing and they wanted the NCERT to withdraw the textbook terming it politically influenced and one-sided contents. The textbook called “Krishna” the experts allege ‘an attempt to saffronise.”
Opposing the textbook, members of The Public Alliance for Fundamental Right to Education (PAFRE) and its Chief Convener Prof Niranjanaradhya stated “The textbook does not reflect the social and cultural diversity of Karnataka. The richness of its folklore, literature and lifestyle traditions has been completely ignored.”
The textbook, he said, failed to project the diverse cultural traditions of major regions of the States such as coastal Karnataka, North Karnataka, Malnad and the Old Mysuru.
With regard to health and nutrition, the Prof said the textbook depicts a food plate consist mainly roti, rice, vegetables, milk and fruits while the dietary diversity of the State includes non-vegetarian food habits such as fish curry in coastal Karnataka regions, mutton-based dishes in several communities and other local dietary practices have been excluded in the NCERT textbook.
Regarding the textbook drawing opposition, Minister of Home Priyank Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru “Karnataka has not compromised on its content in its textbooks and always maintained a fine balance between history, culture, mythology and spiritualism.”
He said “We have never shied away from mythology at the cost of scientific temper” and assured concerned officials to look at the matter.