Karnataka Govt set to revise social science syllabus in schools; Tipu glorification dropped

The history of Kashmir will be taught Karnataka Government approves revised curriculum

Editorial comment

• The step of the Government in dropping the glorification of Tipu Sultan is praiseworthy. A further step to erase the memory of Tipu Sultan as a saviour among many religious fanatics should be taken by the Government.
• It is shameful for all the past rulers in Karnataka to include the history of Tipu Sultan in the curriculum. He indulged in the religious conversion of thousands of Hindus, committed mass murders of Hindus, raped Hindu women and demolished the temples. What the students could have possibly learnt about the fanatic Tipu Sultam from such a curriculum ?

Bengaluru (Karnataka) – After the Hijab row and the ban on Muslim traders in the premises of Hindu temples, the Karnataka Government is all set to revise school textbooks and delete some ‘sensitive’ chapters, including the glorification of Tipu Sultan. Rohith Chakrathirtha-headed Textbook Revision Committee of the State Government has submitted its report to this effect, said highly placed sources.

Earlier, the students were taught that other religions came into existence due to drawbacks of Vaidik (Hindu) religion, which had led to a huge controversy in the State. The controversial lesson was taught to the students of Class 6.

According to sources, the Committee has included lessons on the Ahom Dynasty, which ruled North-East India for 600 years, the Karkota Dynasty, which ruled many parts of North India and lessons on Kashmir history. There is also a lesson on the controversial Baba Budangiri and Dattapeetha.

Sources said that Baba Budangiri as well as Dattapeetha have been flash points between Hindus and Muslims in Karnataka. Sources also explained that the Committee has dropped the parts which glorified Mysuru King Tipu Sultan. But, a lesson on him is retained as it has historical significance.

The Committee was formed by the ruling BJP Government in 2017 to look into the issue of some aspects which hurt the Hindu sentiments in Social Science Part 1 and also examined other such sensitive aspects till Class 10. BC Nagesh, Minister for Education, said that the department has consented to revision of textbooks as per the suggestion of the Committee. Details would be given later, he said.

Congress criticised the decision to appoint a person who has pro-Hindutva ideology to improve upon the textbooks. Congress has never acknowledged that ‘Islamisation’ of education was taking place while history (which included Tipu Sultan) was being taught for so many years.

The Rohith Chakrathirtha Committee has now revised the Class 6 to 10 textbooks of the Social Science subject.

Government gives permission to publish the revised textbooks

Sources confirmed that the Government has accepted the revised syllabus and had given a green signal for publication of these books for the academic year 2022-23.

B.C. Nagesh, Minister for Education, stated that the report in this regard has been received. The department has consented to the revision of textbooks as per the suggestion of the committee. More details would be given later, he said.

Congress criticised the decision to appoint a person having pro-Hindutva ideology to improve the textbooks.