Shivamogga: Rohit Chakratirtha, the former chairman of the Textbook Revision Committee, made controversial statements suggesting that Brahmins should emulate the global success of Jews. He expressed these views during a program organized by Vipra Sneha Balaga in Shivamogga, where he attended to felicitate Shivamogga MLA S.N. Channabasappa.

Chakratirtha asserted that Brahmins, who are considered the highest caste in Hindu society, should rise up like Jews have done globally. He claimed that Brahmins are the accepted authorities on religious doctrines and even hold positions within the Communist Party. However, he noted that Brahmins often become enemies of their own community. To overcome this, Chakratirtha emphasized the need for Brahmins to live as “Brahmakshatriyas,” combining intellectual and warrior qualities, and strive for success in all areas of life.

He expressed concern that Brahmins are looked down upon in the country’s social structure, a situation he attributed to a British conspiracy that began around 100 years ago.

Drawing parallels with the Jewish community, Chakratirtha highlighted their historical struggle and achievements. He pointed out that Jews were marginalized for 2,500 years but managed to flourish as scholars and intellectual leaders. Despite comprising only 5% of the global population, Jews earned acceptance and respect across various fields. Chakratirtha also mentioned their diligent approach to menial tasks, such as garbage sweeping.

Chakratirtha emphasized that Brahmins should aspire to be an intellectual force in the world, following the example set by Jews. He called for Brahmins to actively pursue success in diverse fields and strengthen themselves economically. He encouraged them not to bow down before anyone, implying the need for self-empowerment and confidence.

Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai: Senior BJP leaders from Maharashtra on Friday described the Karnataka government’s move to revise school textbooks as minority appeasement and asked Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray to clarify his stand on the matter.

The Congress-led Karnataka government on Thursday approved the revision of Kannada and Social Science textbooks of Classes 6 to 10 in the state for this academic year by removing the chapters on RSS founder K B Hedgewar and Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar among others.

While Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) is a partner in the Maharashtra opposition bloc of Maha Vikas Aghadi, which also comprises the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), former ally BJP has often accused him of veering away from the Hindutva ideology.

Talking to reporters here, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the revision in school textbooks in Karnataka was expected after the Congress returned to power in the southern state.

“The Congress can remove Savarkar and Hedgewar from textbooks but not from the hearts and minds of people. In Maharashtra, the Opposition wants to replicate the Karnataka model. I want to ask Uddhav Thackeray what is his stand on this issue,” he asked.

It is clear that Thackeray has compromised on his ideology for the sake of power, Fadnavis said.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis’s party colleague and BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said Thackeray should clear his stand on the textbook issue as well as the Karnataka government’s decision to repeal the anti-conversion law brought in by the previous government.

Apart from dropping chapters on Savarkar and Hedgewar, the Karnataka government also plans to include lessons on social reformer and educator Savitribai Phule, Jawaharlal Nehru’s letters to Indira Gandhi and poetry on Dr B R Ambedkar in the textbooks.

JAIPUR: Several places in Rajasthan received heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours due to Cyclone Biparjoy, which moved further towards the desert state following its landfall in Gujarat, officials said on Saturday.

A rainfall of 210 mm was recorded in Mount Abu, 136 mm in Sedwa in Barmer, 135 mm in Mount Abu tehsil, 110 mm in Raniwada of Jalore, 76 mm in Bidasaria in Churu, 68 mm in Reodar, 59 mm in Sanchor, 57 mm in Pindwara, 49 mm each in Gogunda and Girva, 47 mm in Jalore, 46 mm each in Sindri and Jaswantpura of Jalore, 40 mm in Jhadol, 38 mm in Abu Road, 35 mm in Kotda, 30 mm in Sirohi, 26 mm in Kumbhalgarh and 25.7 mm in Udaipur till 8.30 am, they said.

Many other places in the state recorded rainfall ranging from 1 mm to 22 mm during the period due to the effects of the cyclone, the officials said.

The meteorological department has issued an “Orange” alert for Barmer, Jalore, Sirohi, Pali districts, with strong winds expected at a speed of 30-50 kilometres per hour.

A “Yellow” alert has been sounded for Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Churu, Sikar, Nagaur, Jhunjhunu, Ajmer, Udaipur and Rajsamand districts.

The cyclone is in the form of deep depression in Rajasthan and will further reduce to the depression category, an official said.The rainfall activity in parts of the state will continue till Monday, he added.

Meanwhile, the minimum temperature in the state was recorded between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius.

On Friday, Bundi recorded the highest maximum temperature of 41.4 degrees Celsius in the state, followed by 39. 9 degrees Celsius in Sriganganagar.

New Delhi: The southwest monsoon is set to advance further into the southern peninsula and eastern parts of the country from Sunday after an initial delay in its onset over Kerala.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said Cyclone Biparjoy has completely detached itself from the monsoonal flow and will have no impact on the progress of the seasonal rainfall system.

“Had Cyclone Biparjoy moved north-westwards towards Oman, it would have affected the monsoonal flow,” he said.

Mohapatra said the cyclone had helped the progress of the monsoon by strengthening the cross-equatorial flow as it lingered over the southeast Arabian Sea.

Conditions were becoming favourable for further advance of the southwest monsoon over some more parts of the south peninsula and east India and adjoining areas between June 18 and 21.

Cyclone Biparjoy’s presence in the Arabian Sea had initially delayed and reduced the intensity of the onset of monsoon by pulling both moisture and convection.

The southwest monsoon hit India on June 8 with its onset over Kerala against the normal date of June 1.

Research shows that a delay in the onset of monsoon over Kerala does not necessarily mean a delay in the monsoon onset over northwest India.

India is expected to get normal rainfall during the southwest monsoon season despite the evolving El Nino conditions, the IMD had earlier said.

El Nino, which is the warming of the waters in the Pacific Ocean near South America, is generally associated with the weakening of monsoon winds and dry weather in India.

El Nino conditions this year follow three consecutive La Nina years. La Nina, which is the opposite of El Nino, typically brings good rainfall during the monsoon season.