Amid row, Chakrathirtha committee wraps II-PUC History textbook revision

Team Udayavani, Jun 1, 2022, 7:41 PM IST

Bengaluru: The Textbook Revision Committee headed by Rohith Chakrathirtha has finalized the revision of History textbooks prescribed for II-PUC in Karnataka, news agency IANS reported reliable sources as saying.

The sources in the Education department revealed that the committee has revised one lesson of the history textbook. The revision has been made to the chapter “Birth of new religions”, the report said.

The committee will submit the revised text to the Education department and seek its consent.

The ruling BJP government had earlier directed to hand over the responsibility of revision of the 4.2 lesson “Birth of New Religions” of the Social Science Textbook prescribed for II PUC students.

Education Minister B.C. Nagesh had written a note in this regard on February 17, 2022 to the Principal Secretary of the department.

The 4.2 lesson for PUC-II Social Science book in the title ‘Birth of new religions – Jainism and Buddhism” says that the confusions, dominance of priests, the sacrifice of animals, prayers, caste system, and the birth of legends led to the birth of new religions. This interpretation has created controversy.

The note by Education Minister Nagesh says that there is a complaint regarding lesson 4.2 of the History book regarding hurting the sentiments of a particular religion.

Lesson 4.2 on Birth of New Religions explains that the Vaidik religion was simple before the influence of priests. After their influence the religion became complex leaving the people disheartened. They wanted change and they found succor in new religions.

The lesson further says that Brahmins established their authority over all other castes. It had become difficult for the people to conduct yagas without Brahmins. They enjoyed more benefits and thought themselves superior to others.

When people were unhappy and disheartened, the great personalities Mahaveer and Gautam Budha were born. They taught principles and virtues in simple languages that could be understood by the people. Common people were attracted to these religions for the same religion, the lesson reads.

(With IANS inputs)