VHP, Matru Mandali stage protest

Members of VHP and Matru Mandali staging a protest in support of their demand for removal of a chapter on Christianity and Islam in the Class 9 Social Science textbook, in front of the BEO office in Mangaluru on Thursday.

Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Matru Mandali activists on Thursday staged a protest against a chapter on “Christianity and Islam” in the Social Science textbook of Class 9.

The activists expressed themselves against the “Christianity and Islam” chapter in the history section of Part 1 of the Social Science textbook for Class 9 students under State syllabus.

VHP leader Sharan Pumpwell said that the chapter provides details about genesis of Christianity and Islam and about Jesus Christ and Mohammed Paigambar.

The activists opposed the activities mentioned at the end of the chapter that include asking students to visit churches and mosques and write a note on their religious rituals.

Such activities would influence young minds to take to other religions, he said. Claiming that parents were opposed to the chapter, Dakshina Kannada District Matru Mandali Pramukh Asha Jagadish said that this chapter should be removed from the textbook. Inclusion of this chapter was nothing but aiding religious conversion, she said.

The activists carried out a protest near the office of the Block Education Officer (BEO), Mangaluru North. Mr. Pumpwell and Ms. Jagadish then submitted a memorandum to the BEO.