DSS stages 'Tamate' protest against Bhagavad Gita seminar at Kuvempu University
Shivamogga: A seminar titled "Bhagavad Gita and Crime Control," organized at Kuvempu University, sparked controversy on Tuesday, leading to a protest by the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti (KDSS).
The seminar was jointly organised by Kuvempu University, the Swarna Rashmi Trust, and the Sri Bhagavad Gita Abhiyan District Committee. Opposing the event, KDSS members staged a 'Tamate Chaluvali' (drum-beating agitation) in front of the university campus.
Allegations of right-wing agenda
Addressing the protesters, M. Gurumurthy, State Convener of the KDSS, alleged that the seminar was being used to promote a right-wing ideological agenda.
"This event is contrary to the ideals of Rashtrakavi Kuvempu and violates the spirit of the Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar," Gurumurthy stated.
Call for boycott by Prof. Baraguru Ramachandrappa
The protesters directed sharp criticism at Vice-Chancellor Sharath Ananthamurthy, accusing him of harbouring fundamentalist views. With the university scheduled to celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava tomorrow, Gurumurthy appealed to the chief guest, noted writer Prof. Baraguru Ramachandrappa, to boycott the function.
"Prof. Baraguru Ramachandrappa, who has served as the conscience of this land for years, should not share the stage with a Vice-Chancellor who is communal, casteist, and fundamentalist. I appeal to him not to attend the program," Gurumurthy urged.
Gurumurthy demanded that the State Government recall Vice-Chancellor Sharath Ananthamurthy. He argued that Kuvempu advocated for 'Manava Jathi' (Universal Humanity) and believed that no single religious text should be revered above humanity.
"It is inappropriate to bring RSS ideologies to the forefront in a university named after Kuvempu. Why is the administration conducting this event secretly, without any university scholars, and under heavy police protection? By doing so, the Vice-Chancellor has stood against the very aspirations of Kuvempu," he added.
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Parents fear uncertainty after Karnataka govt rules out age limit relaxation for Class 1 admission
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has ruled out any relaxation of the minimum age limit for admission to Class 1 beginning with the academic year 2026-27. Following the refusal, a group of parents continues to press for leniency.
Parents of children who fall under the age of six by a small margin on the cut-off date have met Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and senior officials from the Department of School Education and Literacy to request an exemption. School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa said that the government will not change its decision, as reported by Deccan Herald.
According to the minister, children must be six years old by June 1 to be eligible for admission to Class 1. beginning with the 2026-27 academic year. He noted that the previous relaxation was a one-time measure that was clearly confined to the 2025-26 academic year.
“If such requests are entertained every year, it will never end. While granting relaxation last year, it was explicitly stated that it applied only to one academic year. From 2026-27 onwards, the rule will be strictly implemented,” Bangarappa was quoted by DH.
Parents argue that the rigid cut-off is affecting children who are short by a few days. One parent was quoted by DH as saying that his daughter would be 12 days short of completing six years on June 1. Such parents would be forced to repeat a year despite being academically ready. Others pointed out that children promoted from LKG to UKG during the 2025-26 academic year are now facing uncertainty over their transition to Class 1.
Few parents also recalled that earlier, admissions were allowed for children aged between five years and 10 months and six years. Parents saw it as a more practical approach, with children born in November and December being disproportionately affected.
The issue of age criterion goes back to a government order issued in July 2022. The order mandated six years as the minimum age for Class 1 admission. Parents of children already enrolled in pre-primary classes, protested against the order and the state deferred implementation, announcing that the rule would come into force from the 2025-26 academic year.
After renewed pressure, the government granted a one-year relaxation for 2025-26, citing the large number of students affected and in consultation with the State Education Policy Commission. While announcing the exemption, the minister had stated that no further concessions would be allowed.
