Hindu American Foundation Retains Law Firm in California Textbook Case

January 12, 2006

Source: Hindu American Foundation

http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/media_press_release_california_textbook.htm

On January 12, 2006 the a Hindu American Foundation Press Release stated, "The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has retained the law firm of Olson, Hagel and Fishburn, LLP of Sacramento, California to represent the Foundation in its interactions with the California State Board of Education (SBE). The SBE is currently considering a determination of the California Curriculum Commission that several edits and corrections of textbooks regarding the teaching of Hinduism to public school students be accepted... Although a final determination with respect to these matters may be made by the SBE at its February meeting, attorneys representing HAF are planning to appear at the SBE meeting January 12, 2006 and provide board members with the attached statement. 'We believe that the Curriculum Commission of the California State Board of Education made its recommendations to the SBE based on an accurate understanding of science, history and the sentiments of those people in California that actually practice the Hindu faith being taught in schools,' said Suhag Shukla, Esq., Legal Counsel of HAF. 'It would be completely inappropriate - and we believe illegal - for those recommendations to be modified by the staff and board members as the result of a closed meeting. HAF is committed to ensure that a fair and open process is followed, and the decision to retain counsel on this matter reflects our concern that the appropriate process is perhaps not being followed in this case.'"