New Testament in Kannada Withdrawn from Schools After Public Protest

Wednesday November 16 2005 08:33 IST
SHIMOGA
newindpress.com
SOUTHERN NEWS – KARNATAKA

Deputy Director for Public Instruction S L Chavhan, in a press release, announced that permission to distribute the Kannada version of the New Testament and biography of Jesus Christ has been withdrawn.

He said in his order, dated October 7, that permission had been given to distribute these books to school children after obtaining approval of the School Development and Management Committees.

Due to public protest and complaints, the order had been withdrawn,he said in an order dated November 14.

Yediurappa demands action: Meanwhile, talking to reporters here on Tuesday, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly B S Yediurappa demanded disciplinary action against the DDPI for allowing distribution of the two books.

Terming it as a deliberate attempt to brainwash the children, he said some organisations had been making concerted efforts to convert people to Christianity through such activities.

When Yediurappa’s attention was drawn to the fact that the SSA was implemented by the NDA Government and the DDPI acted according to its guidelines, he said that it was wrong to distribute the book,though he agreed that the Jesus was a great personality.

Referring to a resolution reportedly passed by the JD(S) urging the Government give an additional 4 per cent reservation to Muslims,Yediurappa felt Deve Gowda was trying to divide society on communal terms.

People should be aware of the machinations of Deve Gowda and must teach him a lesson in the election, he suggested.

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