Hinduism Today
CALIFORNIA, March 18, 2006: The following two articles announce the filling of two lawsuits in the California dispute over the presentation of Hinduism in new sixth grade social studies textbooks. For the full background, see the HPI reports here and here. The first lawsuit, by the Hindu American Foundation, has been expected following the adverse action of the California Board of Education at its March 6 meeting. It has been filed in California state court and charges the Board with numerous violations of its own procedures and of California State law and administrative guidelines, and, perhaps most significantly, the State’s open meeting laws. The second lawsuit, by the recently formed California Parents for the Equalization of Educational Materials has been filed in US federal court and charges that the textbook adoption procedure violates the federal rights of Hindus in California. The California Parents suit was filed first, by a day, and that apparently could create a legal issue with the State suit filed by HAF if the State court decides to await a decision on the part of the federal court before continuing. The California Parents group, according to their spokesperson Murali Menon, doesn’t believe this will happen.
The HAF brief contains much new information on the actual handling by the Board of Education of the Hindu requests for changes in the texts. It is important reading for anyone following this issue.