The Hindu : Front Page : No talks on textbooks: NSS, Church

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Tuesday, Jun 24, 2008
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No talks on textbooks: NSS, Church

Staff Reporter

They want controversial textbooks in classes I, III, V and VII withdrawn

NSS, Churches hold conclave at Perunna
They say textbooks encourage atheism

KOTTAYAM: The Nair Service Society (NSS) and Christian Episcopal Churches, who have joined hands under the banner of Aided Schools’ Managements’ Coordination Committee, has ruled out talks with the State government on the controversial textbooks in classes one, three, five and seven.

Briefing mediapersons after a conclave at the NSS headquarters at Perunna on Monday, NSS general secretary P.K. Naryana Panicker and Archbishop of Changanassery Joseph Perumthottam, co-chairmen of the committee, said the Social Studies textbook of Class VII should be withdrawn. “There are clear procedural formalities to be followed when textbooks are revised. Revision of these textbooks has been carried out giving scant respect to such procedural formalities. As such, talks to resolve the issue are irrelevant.”

“The same is our stance on the revised textbooks in classes one, three and five,” they said and called for a review of the controversial contents in the texts.

They said the contents encouraged atheism and tried to analyse national and local issues in the light of class struggle to take political advantage. There is a clear indication that efforts have been made to do away with the role of parents in the religious, cultural and character formation of their wards, in the revised texts. The leaders alleged that instead of imparting brotherhood and amiability in young minds, the texts contain contents which enkindle hatred and vendetta in the minds of the children. “This is part of an attempt to disintegrate the existing social equilibrium.”

Others who participated in the conclave included G. Sukaumaran Nair, assistant secretary, and P.N. Narendranathan Nair, treasurer, NSS, Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan, head of the Mar Thoma Church, Archbishop Kuriakose Mar Sevarius, Head of the Knanaya Jacobite Church, Paulose Mar Pakomios, Thomas Mar Thimothios, Joseph M. Puthussery, MLA, and others.

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