The debate on textbooks in Karnataka has continued with representations being sent to chief minister Basavaraj Bommai over textbook revision committee chairperson Rohit Chakratirtha being disrespectful of Jnanapeetha awardee Kannada author Kuvempu.

An old video of Chakratirtha, allegedly dating back to 2017 has surfaced on social media where he has spoken with disregard about Kuvempu and the state anthem ‘Jai Bharata Jananiya Tanuja Te’.

Chakratirtha was appointed the chairperson of the committee that has revised Kannada and social studies state board textbooks. 

Noted writer Ham Pa Nagarajaiah, on Monday, resigned from the post of chairman of the Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Pratishtana, as a mark of protest against the state government choosing Charatirtha to head the textbooks revision committee.

Following his resignation, he said, “This is an insult to the first Jnanapeetha awardee of the state. To appoint a person who has spoken ill about Kupempu and the community he hails from is a disgrace. It is a responsible post and one must have been chosen carefully. The government has been a mute spectator while respectable personalities are being insulted. Hence, I urge the chief minister to accept my resignation,” he said.

On similar lines, Rashtrakavi Dr G S Shivarudrappa Prathishtana president Prof S G Siddaramaiah and its members Dr S N Raghavendra Rao, Dr Chandrashekhar Nangali and Dr Nataraj Boodal have also submitted resignations.

Religious heads of the Vokkaliga community have also staged protests asking for the removal of Chakratirtha from the post. Recently, even the Adichunchanagiri Mutt head Sri Nirmalanandanatha Swami wrote to Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai seeking action against those who distorted the state anthem and defamed Kuvempu. Bommai responded that he would look into the same. 

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