After hijab, Bible in classrooms sparks fresh row in Karnataka school

News Network

April 25, 2022

Clarence High School in Karnataka's Bengaluru has taken an undertaking from parents that they would not object to their wards carrying the holy book Bible to school premises. The new directive has drawn reactions from certain right-wing groups that called it a violation of the Karnataka Education Act.

Hindu Janajagruti Samithi State Spokesperson Mohan Gowda claimed that the school is forcing non-Christian students to read the Bible.

The group claimed there are also non-Christian students who are studying in the school and are forcefully made to learn teachings in the Bible. However, the school defended its stance and stated that it provides a Bible-based education.

In the admission application form for Grade 11, there is a parents' declaration that reads "You affirm that your child will attend all classes including Morning Assembly Scripture Class and Clubs for his/her own moral and spiritual welfare and will not object to carry the Bible and Hymn Book during his/her stay at Clarence High School.''

Recently, the state government had announced plans to introduce Bhagavad Gita in schools, with the chief minister saying that a decision on adding Bhagavad Gita in school curriculum will be taken after discussion.

Earlier, Gujarat government on March 17, had decided to include Shrimad Bhagavad Gita in the school syllabus for classes 6-12, to "cultivate a sense of pride and connection to traditions". According to its circular, Indian culture and epistemology should be included in the school curriculum in a way that is conducive to the holistic development of the students.

In this case, Hindu Janajagruti Samithi has urged the education department to act against the school for 'introducing Bible'.

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No cases yet, but vigilance high: Karnataka braces for Nipah threat

News Network

February 3,2026

Bengaluru: Following reports of fresh Nipah virus (NiV) cases in West Bengal and heightened vigilance across parts of Southeast Asia, the Karnataka Health Department has placed the state on high alert and activated emergency preparedness protocols.

Health officials said enhanced surveillance measures have been initiated after two healthcare workers in Barasat, West Bengal, tested positive for the virus earlier this month. While no cases have been reported in Karnataka so far, authorities said the state’s past exposure to Nipah outbreaks and high inter-state mobility warranted preventive action.

Officials have directed district health teams to intensify monitoring, particularly at hospitals and points of entry, and to ensure early detection and isolation of suspected cases.

High Mortality Virus with Multiple Transmission Routes

Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and has a reported fatality rate ranging between 60 and 75 per cent. Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are the natural reservoirs of the virus and can transmit it by contaminating food sources with saliva or urine.

Known modes of transmission include:

•   Contaminated food: Consumption of fruits partially eaten by bats or raw date-palm sap
•   Animal contact: Exposure to infected pigs or other animals
•   Human-to-human transmission: Close contact with body fluids of infected persons, particularly in healthcare settings

Symptoms and Disease Progression

The incubation period typically ranges from 4 to 14 days, though delayed onset has also been reported. Early symptoms often resemble common viral infections, making prompt clinical suspicion critical.

•   Initial symptoms: Fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, sore throat
•   Progressive symptoms: Drowsiness, disorientation, altered mental state
•   Severe stage: Seizures, neck stiffness and acute encephalitis, which can rapidly progress to coma

Public Health Advisory

The Health Department has issued precautionary guidelines urging the public to adopt risk-avoidance practices to prevent any local spillover.

Do’s
•   Wash fruits thoroughly before consumption
•   Drink boiled and cooled water
•   Use protective equipment while handling livestock
•   Maintain strict hand hygiene

Don’ts
•   Avoid fruits found on the ground or showing bite marks
•   Do not consume beverages made from raw tree sap, including toddy
•   Avoid areas with dense bat populations
•   Do not handle sick or dead animals

Preparedness Measures

Officials confirmed that isolation wards are being readied in major government hospitals and that medical staff are being sensitised to identify early warning signs.

“There is no cause for panic, but there is a need for heightened vigilance,” a senior health official said, adding that there is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Nipah, and care remains largely supportive.

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