Church observes 'protest day' on textbook issue

Kochi, Jun 30 (UNI) The Catholic Church in Kerala observed a 'protest day' today, demanding withdrawal of school textbooks, which allegedly promoted atheism and Communist ideology.

Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) President Archbishop Daniel Acharuparambil inaugurated a protest rally from St Francis Cathedral to the Kanayannur taluk office here this morning.

Reiterating the church's demand for the withdrawal of the Class VII Social Studies textbook, the archbishop alleged that this was aimed at injecting atheism among children and propagating Communist ideology.

A pastoral letter, issued by Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) President and Syro-Malabar Church Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithyathil, against the textbooks was read out in all parish churches here yesterday.

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