Union Minister Rajeev Chandrashekar launched a scathing attack on the Congress government in Karnataka, condemning the reported removal of a lesson on RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar from school textbooks.
Chandrashekar accused Congress of having a limited perspective on history, emphasizing that it revolves solely around the Nehru-Gandhi family.
The move to exclude Hedgewar’s contribution from textbooks has sparked a heated debate on the politicization of education and the portrayal of diverse historical perspectives. Critics argue that such actions undermine the principles of inclusivity and intellectual openness, while supporters argue for a comprehensive and unbiased representation of India’s history in educational curricula.
Describing the move as attention-seeking antics by the Congress, Chandrashekar alleged that the party has a long history of rewriting India’s history to erase individuals who are not associated with a political dynasty. He emphasized that this act is not just an attack on the truth but also a disservice to the youth of India.
The Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Madhu Bangarappa, announced that a revision of school textbooks will take place this year in the best interest of students. While he confirmed that a proposal on textbook revision would be presented before the Cabinet, he refrained from providing specific details regarding the removal of certain lessons, including the one on Hedgewar.
During a press conference, Chandrashekar, a prominent BJP leader and Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka, expressed his disapproval of the reported move, stating that it is fundamentally wrong. He condemned the Congress for its intention to erase historical figures who do not align with their dynasty-based narrative, emphasizing their limited “prism” of history centered around the Nehru-Gandhi family.
Chandrashekar further criticized the Karnataka government, labeling the removal of the lesson on Hedgewar as a “crime against the youth of India.” He predicted that the people would respond to the Congress for depriving students of the truth about India’s history.
The Congress party’s manifesto for the recently concluded Karnataka assembly polls had included a promise to reverse the changes made to school textbooks during the BJP’s tenure. Additionally, the party had pledged to scrap the National Education Policy 2020 in the state.
