NEW DELHI: A war of words has erupted between the Congress and the BJP over the Karnataka government's proposal to undo all changes made to school textbooks when the BJP was in power.

Though no details have been shared by the state government, sources said the proposal includes removing a chapter on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar.Karnataka primary and secondary education minister Madhu Bangarappa recently said revision of school textbooks will be done this year itself "in the interest of the students".

He said the matter will be soon placed before the Cabinet to seek its consent.Polluting the mind of children: Congress"Chief minster Siddaramaiah is personally interested in this, it was also clearly mentioned in our manifesto that we will revise the textbooks in the interest of the students.

As we are implementing the guarantees, in the same way in my department we will fulfill what he had said," Bangarappa had said.“We (Congress) were against the current syllabus even prior to getting elected.

Now that we have come to power, we will fulfill our manifesto commitment (of revision of textbooks)," said Bangarappa.In its poll manifesto, the Congress had also promised to scrap the National Education Policy (NEP).Asserting that the act of "polluting children's minds through texts and lessons" cannot be condoned, CM Siddaramaiah had recently said: "As the academic year has started, we will discuss and take action so that the education of the children is not disturbed."Congress MLC BK Hari Prasad, meanwhile, claimed Hedgewar was a "coward" and a "fake freedom fighter".

The BJP has demanded an apology from the party.Congress showing intolerance: BJP general secretaryBJP national general secretary C T Ravi termed the state's plans to remove chapters on Hedgewar as "intolerance".00:55CT Ravi on Karnataka government's proposal to revise school textbooks this year"They (Congress) had used the word intolerance, this shows that they have intolerance against a patriot.

They have the right to oppose ideologically, but they don't have the moral right to question Hedgewar's patriotism.

Lessons on Marx and Mao who are not from this country and were against democracy can be there in the textbook, but lessons on patriots like Hedgewar cannot be there.

This is intolerance, let's see what they will do and our party will decide what to do," he said.'Congress's view limited to Nehru-Gandhi family'Union IT minister Rajeev Chandrashekar said the Congress's views on history are limited to the Nehru-Gandhi family.

The senior BJP leader termed the move as Congress antics to grab attention, and alleged that it has a long history of rewriting the country's history to remove those who are not part of a "dynasty".BJP leader CN Ashwath Narayan has said the Congress should take its own time.

"They shouldn't be in a hurry.

As a popular government, they should address the concern of all sections of society.

Government has to be inclusive," he said.A similar controversy over revision of textbooks had erupted during the previous BJP regime.

The Congress had accused the Basavaraj Bommai-led government of attempting to "saffronise" school textbooks by including the speech of RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar as a chapter, and omitting chapters on key figures like freedom fighters, social reformers, and the writings of noted literary figures.There were also allegations of erroneous content on 12th century social reformer Basavanna and certain factual errors in the textbooks, including accusations of disrespecting 'Raashtra Kavi' (national poet) Kuvempu and distortion of the state anthem penned by him.

Initially the allegations were refuted but subsequently rectifications were made in some cases.Bid to divert attention: Former education ministerReacting to the latest controversy, former Karnataka education minister B C Nagesh said the Congress was trying to revise the textbooks "to divert people's attention".

"Siddaramaiah is a so-called self-declared educationalist, basically, they are communists ...

They don't encourage any nationalistic views." he said.

On changes made in textbooks during the BJP regime, the former minister said: "We made changes (in the textbooks) by taking the people into confidence.

We removed the lessons on Nehru and reduced the lessons on Tipu Sultan.

We brought such lessons that develop a feeling of nationalism among students.

Though Congress ruled the country and the state for many years but they are not bothered about the education system.

(With inputs from agencies)WatchBJP tried to infuse their ideology in textbooks, we’ll take corrective measures: Dinesh Gundu Rao