The Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar, has recently addressed the controversy surrounding the removal of a chapter on RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar from a Class 10 Kannada textbook. In response to accusations made by the BJP, Shivakumar clarified that the Congress government in the state has no interest in polarizing people and emphasized their commitment to the development and quality education of Karnataka.
Background:
The controversy arose when the Congress government decided to remove the chapter on Hedgewar from the textbook, prompting allegations from the BJP that the government was attempting to erase Hedgewar’s significant contributions to the RSS. This sparked a political slugfest between the two parties, with the BJP even calling for a statewide bandh on June 10.
Congress Stance:
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar firmly denied the allegations made by the BJP and stressed that the decision to remove the chapter was solely based on factual inaccuracies. Shivakumar made it clear that the Congress government is not interested in polarizing the people and would leave such tactics to the BJP. Their primary focus remains on the development and progress of the state, and they are committed to providing quality education to all students.
BJP’s Accusations:
The BJP has accused the Congress government of appeasing Muslims through the removal of the chapter on Hedgewar. However, the Congress party has refuted these claims, asserting that the bandh called by the BJP is merely an attempt to create communal tension and disrupt peace in the state.
Resolution Efforts:
In an attempt to resolve the issue, the Karnataka government has expressed its openness to engaging in dialogue with the RSS and other stakeholders. By initiating a constructive conversation, they aim to address any concerns and find a suitable resolution that respects the state’s educational standards and the historical accuracy of the textbook content.
Conclusion:
As the controversy surrounding the removal of the chapter on Keshav Baliram Hedgewar from the Class 10 Kannada textbook continues, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, DK Shivakumar , has made it clear that the Congress government is not interested in polarizing people and will focus on the state’s development. The government maintains its commitment to providing quality education and denies any attempts to erase historical contributions. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how the controversy will be resolved and whether the government’s efforts to engage in dialogue will yield a satisfactory outcome.
