Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Dec 10: A committee of experts that was formed to look into the matter of continuing lessons on 'Tiger of Mysore', Tipu Sultan, which are taught in sixth, seventh, and tenth standards now, has recommended in its report to the government to continue with these lessons. The committee is of the opinion that if lessons on Tipu are removed, they effectively severe link that narrates about the role of Mysore state in the fight against the British.

"Tipu Sultan played an important role in southern province in fighting against the British. He fought against the Britishers in four Mysore wars. Therefore, we recommend these lessons to continue," the experts said.

BJP MLA from Madikeri constituency, Appachu Ranjan, had sought removal of the matters pertaining to Tipu in text books as he was characterless religious bigot. He had also said that glorification of such persons by feeding false information to children was improper. Thereafter, the government had formulated this committee.

The report said that nothing new has been added to the text that is already present, and that the matter contained in lessons do not have anything connected with what Ranjan has said. They noted that Tipu has not been projected as an avid supporter of Kannada or patriot, duly adding that only positive things in the form of introduction have been provided.

The report said that if Tipu is seen from negative angle, all the rulers too should be viewed from this angle and personal lives of everyone has one or the other negative issues. Conducting researches into them or looking into other things do not fall under the purview of text books, the committee opined. It also said that it would be not right to inform negative things to the children and distort their minds and the texts should have positive things which develop them. They said that if his matter is removed, history of Mysore from 1783 to 1799 AD cannot be informed, and a void remains in history elating to Mysore.

The committee had Prof Baragur Ramachandrappa, who was the president of text book committee, subject experts, Prof Ashwath Narayan, who had authored the history text book for tenth standard, Prof Rajesh, who had prepared seventh standard text book, and Prof T R Chandrashekhar, who had created the sixth standard text book.