NSS, Christian leaders demand withdrawal of controversial textbook

Kottayam, Jun 23 (UNI) The Nair Service Society (NSS) and Christian leaders today appealed to the Kerala Government to withdraw the controversial seventh standard Social Science textbook.

A joint meeting of the NSS and Christian leaders held at Perunna, near here, alleged that the textbook was ''detrimental'' to the prevailing social order and would ''destroy'' the social fabric.

NSS General Secretary P K Narayana Panicker ruled out any discussion with the government unless the textbook was withdrawn.

Meanwhile, various Christian organisations and political parties expressed strong protest against the textbook and appealed to the Education Department to withdraw it.

The BJP had also charged that the book was part of the Marxist party's agenda to ''Marxistise'' the education sector and called for its withdrawal.

Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Joseph Vazhakkan alleged that it was part of a hidden agenda to politicise the education sector by indoctrinating young minds.

He said the Kerala Students Union, the party's student wing, would intensify its ongoing agitation demanding withdrawal of the textbook.

Kerala Congress(M) Chairman C F Thomas alleged that the CPI(M) was trying to create anti-religion, anti-God and anti-Indian culture feeling through the book.

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