Name, content of NCERT class 6 Kannada textbook turn contentious

Amid the controversy over implementation of the three-language policy for Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) students, the title and content of the class 6 R3 Kannada textbook implemented by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) have turned contentious.

Educationists and writers have objected to the title of the textbook being ‘Krishna’, the inclusion of only sattvic foods as balanced diet, and the omission of non-vegetarian food.

As part of the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP-2020) and National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE)-2023, the CBSE has taken steps to implement the three-language policy (R1, R2, R3) for classes 6 to 10 from the 2026-27 academic year.

“It is shocking to see the R3 Kannada textbook for class 6 released by NCERT. It is dangerous to use books that are supposed to be designed for children’s learning as a weapon for political and cultural oppression. As part of the imposition of Indian Knowledge Heritage of NEP-2020, the trend of infusing mythological virtues in education in NCERT books is condemnable. Naming the textbook for class 6 as Krishna is an attempt to saffronise the textbooks,” alleged Niranjanaradhya V.P., a development educationist.

Emphasis on vegetarian diet

In addition, vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets were mentioned as balanced diets in earlier textbooks. However, allegations have been made that only a vegetarian diet is emphasised in R3 textbooks for class 6.

A new definition of a balanced diet has been given: “Our body needs balanced foods such as milk, greens, vegetables, fruits, and nuts to get energy. These should be part of our daily diet.” In the picture related to this, there are only ragi mudde, roti, rice, vegetables, milk and fruits are on the plate.

“While talking about food in the Health is Wealth lesson, sattvic food is being discussed. There are crores of people in Karnataka who eat pork, fish, eggs, chicken, mutton. This is a technique to deliberately ignore non-vegetarian food. This is not education, it is cultural terrorism,” Mr. Niranjanaradhya has alleged.

Umesh G. Gangavadi, State president of School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC), alleged that there are no lessons that reflect the cultural and social diversity of Karnataka. “The folklore, literature, and life of the coastal, northern Karnataka, Malnad, and old Mysore areas are missing. There are no activities, texts, pictures, and stories that are appropriate for the curiosity of a class 6 child, age-appropriate activities,” he said, adding that the identity of Karnataka lies in the ideology of writers such as Pampa, Kuvempu, Karanta, and Basavanna, and not in the name of Krishna.

Writer S.G.Siddaramaiah, urging the withdrawal of the lesson, said, “We are against the implementation of the three language policy for CBSE students. Meanwhile, it is condemnable to keep the name of God as the title of the textbook and to impose vegetarianism on children through the textbooks as part of the political agenda of the Union government.”