Bengaluru: A collective of educationists and activists, called People’s Alliance for the fundamental right to education, has slammed the NCERT’s new Kannada third-language textbook for class 6. The collective has alleged that the book is saffronising education, pushing mythology, religion and vegetarianism and fails to capture the diversity of Karnataka.This is the class 6 book that is being used in CBSE schools. As per the new language policy of CBSE, it will be used for class 9 as well.The collective has objected to the book being called Krishna. “After the implementation of National Education Policy 2020, the trend of using religion and mythology as part of the Indian Knowledge Systrem has begun. If not for saffronisation, why else would they call textbooks Krishna or Mridula,” said Niranjanaradhya VP, educationist and chief convener of the collective.The identity of Karnataka lies in the ideologies of Pampa, Kuvempu, Karantha, Basavanna. “But NCERT chose Krishna. It is condemnable that NCERT has moved towards religion politics, leaving aside ideological culturalism,” he said.They also allege that there are no lessons that reflect the cultural and social diversity of Karnataka. The folklore, literature and life of the coastal, northern Karnataka, Malnad and old Mysore regions are missing. “It is dangerous to use books as a weapon for political and cultural oppression,” they said, while pointing out that the narration has a preachy tone.“In the chapter ‘health is wealth’, sattvic food is being promoted, the collective said. “Writing only vegetarian food is balanced is politicising children’s food plates,” they said.Accusing NCERT of politicising education, the collective called the move cultural terrorism.Demands of the collectiveAccording to the Kannada Education Act 2015, Kannada should be taught as a compulsory first and second language in CBSE schools. There are already Savi Kannada, Siri Kannada and Tili Kannada books. Tili Kannada should be used as R3CBSE’s order to use the same text for class 6 and 9 from this year itself should be withdrawn.Explanation on why DSERT, responsible for curriculum development in Karnataka, is not involved in this work.The lesson on ‘balanced food’ should be reprinted with a picture-reference of eggs, fish and meat.The name of the book should be changed to a name that suits the identity of Kannada.
