CAPEEM Settles Hindu text Book Suit $175,000    Sam Rao
Sacramento, CA
In 2005, the California State Board of Education reviewed social studies textbooks for middle schools.
According to several parents and activists, these prescribed textbooks indoctrinate children with “Abrahamic religions and teach biblical events as actual facts while treating Hinduism in a derogatory manner”. This contention coupled with that the  CSBE board failed to provide equal opportunities and equal representation to every religion and culture was the basis of a lawsuit filed by California Parents for the Equalization of Educational Materials  (CAPEEM), which was formed to represent parents in California in a lawsuit against the CA State Board of Education.
   This week following several hearings and submissions, CAPEEM and officials of the California Department of Education and the State Board of Education came to an agreement to settle the lawsuit that was filed in the United States District Court of Eastern District of California in 2006.
    CAPEEM had challenged the process by which religious claims were incorporated into the textbooks used by public school students, as well as some of the religious claims, themselves, which had made their way into those texts.
Believing that its points had been clearly understood by the defendants, CAPEEM opted not to prolong the litigation. The State entered into negotiations with CAPEEM and agreed to pay CAPEEM $175,000 in exchange for a voluntary dismissal of the lawsuit.
“    CAPEEM looks forward to participating in a review process free from biases, and to work with the State to approve textbooks that do not favor or disfavor any religious doctrines” said a statement from CAPEEM
Reacting to the furor which went on for several mionths in a high profile fight in 2006, at the required 6 year review of text books, many parents and activists’ groups were formed, and each weighed in with their own angle.
While most sides agreed with over 70 % of changes , especially which were blatant misrepresentations, the controversy and the hearings pitted ideological groups against one another, often obfuscating the real problems at hand.
Notwithstanding the hearings before the CSBE and some court appointed hearings to tharsh out procedural problems, CALPEEM was the one group which went ahead and filed suit.
     Khanderao Kand, a SF Bay area based  Hindu activist, and member of Hindu Swayam Sevak (HSS) said, “During 2005-2006, the California Department of Education violated the text book review procedure against the Hindus, represented by Hindu Education Foundation(HEF) and Vedic Foundation (VF).  The CDE knew that this case would go against the CDE and hence it settled the case filled by CAPEEM to save itself. This experience would definitely force the CDE not to conspire with anti-Hindu-academicians.”
While the event is being hailed by different Hindu groups, some have taken the approach that the amount $175,000 was an insufficient amount even to cover costs of the lawsuit and tht the matter was moot for another six years
     Ratnendra Pandey, a Hindu parent and active member of CAPEEM said, “ The CAPEEM earned money out of this settlement. This is a big thing. Most lawsuit expenses were met by donors. The settlement is net gain. CAPEEM agreed to settle the case for now instead of going for appeal and extending the litigation.  That said, however, CAPEEM can still work on other grades and in next review cycle. This is a good step forward for Hindus who were hurt by CBE for the following reasons it vindicates CAPEEM and  hindu parents. The settlement underscores the gravity of  misrepresentation of Hindus in CA textbooks. If CBE had considered this case insignificant, it would not have settled the case this way. Settling out of judicial system by paying $175K shows how desperate the CBE was to get out of this mess. Hopefully, CBE will be honest next time around and would not just seek opinion of biased academics and historians.
Pandey added, “It has opened a way for more Hindu organizations to be watchful and take
proactive steps. $175K is a good encouragement for  people and organizations wanting to take on state in future. It will encourage more legal activism to protect rights of Hindu children.”