Opposition sees red over Bhagat Singh omission

By NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The Opposition in Karnataka and other non-BJP parties slammed the BJP government for removing socialist freedom fighter Bhagat Singh from a 10th standard textbook.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president DK Shivakumar condemned the State government’s decision to drop a lesson on Bhagat Singh and instead include a speech of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in the Class 10 Kannada revised textbook. Hitting out at the Karnataka government, the Congress leader termed it an anti-national move, calling it ideologically inspired. “Today they are removing Bhagat Singh, tomorrow they will remove Mahatma Gandhi,” he said. He added: “Let us never forget the sacrifices of those who freed us from colonialism.”

JD(S) president HD Kumaraswamy said that Bhagat Singh and Hedgewar are not comparable. “Bhagat Singh loved his country so much that he sacrificed his life for it. They’ve removed him from the textbook and included a m a n like Hedgewar. Maybe the BJP’s agenda is to include people like Godse and Savarkar as well. The BJP wants to damage harmony in society,” he said.

JD(S) state president CM Ibrahim lamented that RSS ideologues had found their way into textbooks. “The State government including RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar’s speech in a 10th standard textbook is not justified.

This is a matter for serious discussion. Removing Bhagat Singh from the textbook is not just an insult to the Sikh community, but to all citizens of the country. Whatever the government’s reason for Bhagat Singh’s removal from the textbook, I condemn it,” he said. 

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann also criticised the decision. He tweeted: “The hate for Bhagat Singh is increasing among BJP leaders.

At a young age he fought for the freedom of this country and sacrificed his life. Learnings about him will inculcate the values of patriotism in young minds. BJP is scared of increasing patriotism among people.”