Fw: Corrections to Textbooks in California regarding Hinduism

[Guest guest]

SrI :

 

Dear AasthikAs :

 

For your Information and appropraiate follow up by US Citizens .

Thanks very much .

 

V.Sadagopan

-

Mandayam Kumar Krishnaswamy

sgopan

Thursday, December 15, 2005 9:08 AM

Corrections to Textbooks in California regarding Hinduism

 

 

Dear Shriman Sadagopan,

You may consider requesting members who are US citizens to send similar appeals

urgently.

Dasan

krishnaswamy m k

 

---------- Forwarded message ----------

 

Mandayam Kumar Krishnaswamy <mkrishnaswamy

Dec 15, 2005 6:00 AM

Corrections to Textbooks in California regarding Hinduism

 

"Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg" <Assemblymember.Goldberg,

"Secretary Alan Bersin, CA Secretary of Education" < kheinrich, "Sue

Stickel, Deputy Superintendent of Schools" <sstickel, "Karen

Steentofte, Chief Counsel, State Board of Education" < ksteento

 

 

Urgent Appeal to the Curriculum Commission:

 

I understand that attempts are being made to OVERTURN the Curriculum

Commission's decision of December 2, 2005 to accept the edits and corrections of

the Vedic Foundation and Hindu Education Foundation. The final decision is now

in the hands of the California State Board of Education members. If overturned

the State of California would allow the degrogatory and inaccurate information

found in all 8 textbooks on the topics of Hinduism and Aryan invasion/migration

to go unchecked until 2012.

 

While the textbooks describe the Bible, the Torah or the Koran as 'historical

accounts' and Jesus, Moses and Muhammad as 'historical figures,' they

irreverently describe Lord Rama and Sita as 'characters' of the 'fictional

story' Ramayana, Goddess Durga and Kali as 'extremely terrible and

bloodthirsty,' the Vedas and other Hindu scriptures as songs, poems, myths, and

legends. While the textbooks consistently use 'God' with the capital letter G

in the discussion of other religions, they use 'god or goddess' with the small

letter 'g' to describe the forms of God in Hinduism and perpetuate the

misconception that Hindus believe in 'many gods.' The Curriculum Commission's

decision to approve the corrections of the foundations strives to remove such

derogatory and prejudiced statements that are made in relation to Hinduism and

its practices, and aims to achieve a balanced and respectful presentation of

Hinduism similar to that which is given to other religions.

Ignoring modern scholarship, the textbooks continue to teach the Aryan invasion

or migration as an 'established fact' and not as a 'theory.' They fail to

inform the students about the more recent research that indicates that the

Aryans were the original people of India. The foundations' corrections as

approved by the Curriculum Commission present both sides of the issue and remove

references that teach the 'theory' as an 'established fact.'

It is a matter of great concern to me and fellow members of the Hindu community

that such last minute attempts are being made to denigrate Hinduism and I appeal

to the Commission to accept the edits and corrections of the Vedic Foundation

and Hindu Education Foundation.

Thanks.

Sincerely,

Krishnaswamy Mandayamkumar

 

TO

Secretary Alan Bersin, CA Secretary of Education

 

 

Karen Steentofte, Chief Counsel, State Board of Education

 

 

Ruth Green, President, State Board of Education

 

Sue Stickel, Deputy Superintendent of Schools

 

 

Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg