Try to create ruckus at Karnataka Minister BC Nagesh’s house; 15 held

HIGHLIGHTS

• Some members of the Congress’ student wing – NSUI (National Students Union of India) – allegedly tried to stage a protest and besiege the house of Primary and Secondary Education Minister BC Nagesh at Tiptur in Tumakuru district of Karnataka on Wednesday over the school textbook controversy.

• The activists were said to be protesting against the textbook review committee, headed by Rohith Chakratirtha, and alleged inclusion of RSS’s philosophy in school textbooks.

• There have been demands for sacking Chakratirtha for allegedly saffronising school textbooks by including in them a lesson on RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar’s speech, and for changing the content in the books.

• There are also allegations of erroneous content on a 12th century social reformer Basavanna in the textbook, also accusations on insulting poet Kuvempu.

• “NSUI workers barging into the premises of the Education Minister B C Nagesh’s house and creating a ruckus is condemnable. Such a conduct does not suit students…Merciless action will be taken against those involved in such acts,” Bommai tweeted.

• State Home Minister Araga Jnanendra’s office, in a statement, said the miscreants, said to be from NSUI, entered the premises of Nagesh’s house, raised slogans and set fire to the uniform of the RSS.

• Police stopped things from getting out of control and took 15 people into custody.

• Jnanendra, also in-charge of Tumakuru district, visited Nagesh’s residence and took stock of the situation.

• Condemning the incident, he said a policeman was injured in the incident.

• “Strict action will be taken against those involved.”

• The police intervened and pushed protestors outside the premises of Minister’s house, official sources said, adding that 15 people have been taken into custody in connection with the incident.

• As the news of the alleged ruckus by NSUI activists at Nagesh’s house spread, several of his Cabinet colleagues, including Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, condemned the incident.

• Jnanendra, who is also in-charge of Tumakuru district, visited Nagesh’s residence and took stock of the situation.

• He said a policeman was injured in the incident.

• “Strict action will be taken against those involved.”

• State BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, State Health Minister K Sudhakar, PWD Minister C C Patil and Power Minister Sunil Kumar too condemned the students wing members.

• Meanwhile, Bommai said Nagesh would submit a report on textbook revision on June 2 in the wake of the controversy.

• A few seers and literary figures have written to Bommai seeking action on the controversy.