The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) issued a clarification on Thursday on the controversy over naming Class 6 Kannada R3 Textbook “Krishna”, while also rejecting allegations that the book promotes any religious or cultural ideology. It also claimed that Chapter 6 or the textbook does not promote vegetarianism, but promotes “healthy food habits.”

This statement came after a group of educationists and organisations in Karnataka alleged that naming the textbook “Krishna” reflects cultural and ideological bias and the content related to food showed a bias against non-vegetarian food.

In its statement, NCERT clarified, “With regard to the title of the textbook, it is to be stated that NCERT has named its language textbooks, including R3 language textbooks, after rivers of India. The title of the book “Krishna” is after the Krishna River... It is to be noted that the Hindi textbook has been named as “Ganga”, the English textbook has been named as “Kaveri”, and the Urdu textbook “Jamuna” (Yamuna).”

With regards to the allegation of textbook promoting vegetarianism in chapter 6, Health is Wealth, NCERT said, “It is clearly mentioned in the introductory note that for good health, a balanced diet, exercise and cleanliness are essential. The illustrative image given on page 63 includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items. Nowhere in the textbook is vegetarianism explained or justified, nor is non-vegetarian food opposed. The purpose of the chapter is to create awareness about healthy food items.”

However, illustrative image consists only fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses and eggs. There is no illustration of meat or fish.

Condemning the statement released by NCERT, Kannada Development Authority (KDA) Chairman Purushotham Bilimale and others have released a counter-statement. “According to our food culture, a balanced diet includes non-vegetarian food, but this is not mentioned or said clearly anywhere in the NCERT textbook. In the picture on page 63 that NCERT mentioned, there is no picture representing fish, meat or other non-vegetarian food.” They further said that they “did not expect NCERT to give such a false explanation.”