The school textbook revision is back to focus with the Congress government focusing on fulfilling one of its poll promises i.e. to revise the school textbooks by eliminating the changes introduced by the BJP government. The new school education minister of Karnataka Madhu Bangarappa speaking to reporters on Tuesday stated that, “Textbook revision will definitely happen as it was one of the poll promises. The revision will happen in the interest of the students and without any flaws on the part of the government, education authorities and the administration. The textbooks will be revised in such a way that it does not cause confusion, incite anxiety among students and parents and does not impact the thinking and learning of the students.” Bangarappa also added that “I have also got a team now and will sit together to work on implementing the revision of textbooks. Since the textbooks are already distributed we will ensure changes are made carefully without any disturbance to learning.” The controversial textbook revision implemented by the former school education minister BC Nagesh evoked strong criticism from Congress leaders and academicians who accused the BJP government of ‘saffronising’ the textbooks with chapters on RSS founder KB Hedgewar and dropping lessons on Tipu Sultan, and the works of P Lankesh and Sara Aboobacker. BJP was also accused of appointing RSS ideologue Rohith Chakrathirtha as the textbook revision committee head who was earlier booked for insulting the state anthem. Meanwhile, on the Hijab row, the minister said, “Since the matter is under the judiciary, anything I say will become a commitment. The law department will take its course and the government will fight the battle legally.”
