Thiruvananthapuram:
A social science text book for Class 10 students of government schools in Kerala is the latest bone of contention between the Left and the Catholic Church in the state.
The Catholic Church says the book, prepared during the previous Left Front government's tenure, and introduced this academic year, is anti-religion.
"The text book is not only anti church it is anti-religious, it distorts historical truths. In fact the text book gives Marxian version of world history, Indian history and Kerala history," says Fr Philip Nelpuraparambil, Secretary, Education Commission, Kerala Catholic Bishop's Conference.
What has angered the Church is a chapter titled Renaissance that says the 14th century movement rejected the "irrational faith imposed by the Catholic Church. The book also speaks about "abuse of power by the Church" and various "corrupt and immoral practices prevailing in the church" during the Mddle Ages. The Congress-led UDF government has taken the Church's concerns seriously.
"We have appointed a committee to review the contents and we have asked the committee to submit a report within 10 days," said P K Abdurabb, Education Minister, Kerala.
"These are all absolutely exaggerated, distorted arguments to defile the image of the Left," added M A Baby, Former Education Minister & CPM Leader.
This is not the first time that a textbook prepared by the Left Government has landed in trouble. In 2008 too, similar protests had taken place. Sources say the review committee's report is likely to be delayed as one of the members of the three-member panel has opted out of it.
The Catholic Church says the book, prepared during the previous Left Front government's tenure, and introduced this academic year, is anti-religion.
"The text book is not only anti church it is anti-religious, it distorts historical truths. In fact the text book gives Marxian version of world history, Indian history and Kerala history," says Fr Philip Nelpuraparambil, Secretary, Education Commission, Kerala Catholic Bishop's Conference.
What has angered the Church is a chapter titled Renaissance that says the 14th century movement rejected the "irrational faith imposed by the Catholic Church. The book also speaks about "abuse of power by the Church" and various "corrupt and immoral practices prevailing in the church" during the Mddle Ages. The Congress-led UDF government has taken the Church's concerns seriously.
"We have appointed a committee to review the contents and we have asked the committee to submit a report within 10 days," said P K Abdurabb, Education Minister, Kerala.
"These are all absolutely exaggerated, distorted arguments to defile the image of the Left," added M A Baby, Former Education Minister & CPM Leader.
This is not the first time that a textbook prepared by the Left Government has landed in trouble. In 2008 too, similar protests had taken place. Sources say the review committee's report is likely to be delayed as one of the members of the three-member panel has opted out of it.
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