With VHP’s protest mode, BJP moves on book issue

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 10, 2018: The coming assembly session is likely to be chaotic as BJP MLAs decide to use the textbook issue which features, ‘Christianity and Islam’ chapters in Std IX social science, in part 1 of the state syllabus. The Vishwa Hindu Parishat (VHP) had held a protest on the issue, here on Thursday.

BJP MLAs have decided to raise the issue in the assembly and demand that the government remove the chapter from the textbook, said Dakshina Kannada district Mathru Mandali pramukh Asha Jagadish.

She told media that the issue has been discussed with BJP MLAs Sunil Kumar, C T Ravi and party leader Tejashwini Gowda. “The BJP MLAs and leaders have agreed to raise the issue in the assembly. Meanwhile, we will continue our protest against the textbook chapter locally. The textbook forces children to visit churches and mosques to study the rituals of Christians and Muslims. Since it is mentioned as an activity in the chapter, children will be forced to visit churches and mosques,” she rued, and alleged that “it is a conspiracy.”

Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar said, “We will raise the issue of including chapters on Christianity and Islam in the school textbook on the floor of the assembly.”

VHP Mangaluru division secretary Sharan Pumpwell said a memorandum requesting the government to remove the controversial chapter has been submitted to Shalini Rajneesh, principal secretary, department of primary and secondary education.

“We have no objections in including chapters on Christianity and Islam, but making children visit churches and mosques is not acceptable. We will launch protests in schools, colleges and in front of the offices of BEOs in the coastal districts, if the government does not respond on the issue,” Sharan said.

Narasimhaiah, managing director, Karnataka Textbook Society, said, “I have already brought the issue and the VHP’s objections to the notice of the government. Any decision with regard to the chapter in the textbook depends on the opinion of the textbook committee and the government. Information on all religions has been included in textbooks of class 8, 9 and 10 in a spiral approach.”