Islamic leaders want controversial portion in textbook withdrawn

Kozhikode, Jun 19 (UNI) As many as 50 Islamic leaders in Kerala today urged the Left Democratic Front government in the state to immediately withdraw a controversial portion in the school textbook which allegedly ''questioned the relevance of religion'' in society.

At a meeting presided over by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State President Panakkad Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal here, they also decided to submit memoranda to Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and Education Minister M A Baby demanding removal of the portion in the Social Studies text book for Class VII which, they claimed, had invited discontent among Muslims and others in the State and was against secularism.

The leaders also decided to go on agitation with like-minded organisations if the government failed to meet their demand immediately.

Apart from Mr Thangal, IUML General Secretary P K Kunhalikutty and and Secretary E T Mohammed Basheer,among others, attended the meet.

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