KERALA, INDIA, July 5, 2008: The Congress party in Kerala on Saturday decided to strengthen agitation against the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of the state over a controversial Class 7 textbook. The Congress, which is on a campaign demanding withdrawal of the social science book, would organize a series of meetings across the state against teaching from the book, state Congress chief Ramesh Chennithala told reporters here. Citing the Goa government’s decision to withdraw a textbook after a controversy broke out over it, he said: “The textbook has to be withdrawn because it tries to inject communism in the minds of young and also it is anti-religion.”
Various religious and caste organizations in the state, including the the Nair Service Society, Indian Union Muslim League and the Catholic Church have come down heavily on the state government over the book alleging that it propagates atheism and the communist ideology. The religious organizations strongly oppose a chapter in the book – Life without religion. Chennithala said that the party would hold two massive meetings in Kochi and in the state capital Monday and Tuesday respectively. Following the two meetings, the other parts of the state would also witness protest meetings, he added.