NDF urges not to withdraw textbook

Kozhikode, Jul 2 (UNI) The pro-Muslim National Development Front (NDF) in Kerala today urged Kerala government not to withdraw a controversial seventh standard social textbook from the syllabus as demanded by a section of political parties, student organisations and Church in the state.

''We cannot find anything wrong in the VII Class Social Studies text book, which had created a controversy following allegation by the Opposition parties and their students wings that it promoted ''atheism and communism,'' NDF vice-president K P Mohammed Sharief told newspersons here.

Those who were opposed to the textbook were demanding withdrawal of a lesson 'Mathamillatha Jeevan,' but now they were opposing the text book itself. The book highlighted environmental issues and historical events, including the freedom movement, among other things. This would be beneficial for the students, he said.

He said, the state government should, however consider revising the particular portion from the book to avoid dispute on the issue.

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