A chapter in the ‘Belgu-1’ textbook, part of the BA 1styear’s Marathi curriculum, had sparked controversy
Dharwad (Karnataka) – Karnataka University’s ‘Belgu-1’ textbook for the 1 st year of the BA Marathi course for the academic year 2024-25 faced intense public backlash for containing content that insulted Bharat Mata. In response to this opposition, the university promptly decided to withdraw the controversial chapter from the textbook. (Merely removing the chapter is not enough. Strict action should also be taken against the authors who wrote it and the curriculum revision committee that approved it – Editor).
1. In the 4 th chapter of Belgu-1, written by Ramalingappa T. Begur and titled Celebrating Nationality, controversial statements were found. After receiving objections to these lines, the university administration convened a meeting and decided to withdraw the chapter.
2. The chapter controversially mentions that “the picture of Bharat Mata is the picture of a Hindu mother” and claims that the slogan “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” evokes a sense of defeat.
3. It contains not only anti-national and anti-religious sentiments but also derogatory comments on subjects like Chandrayaan and the Shriram Temple at Ayodhya.
4. The text further states, “Sonia Gandhi is a foreigner; therefore, she was not allowed to become the Prime Minister,” and claims, “When Muslims riot, it is considered treason, but when Hindus riot, it is seen as a religious duty.”
5. It argues that the concept of Bharat Mata is specific to a certain class and alleges that others are being forced to adopt this idea.
6. Additionally, the author raises a provocative question: “To what extent is it appropriate to unearth the history of the Shriram Janmabhoomi-Babri mosque dispute ?”