Text Book Politics
The 7th standard text book issued by the Communist Govt. in Kerala has got Hindus, Christians and Muslims up in arms, since one story in the book, it seems, promotes atheism. Joseph notes that while people are focusing on one story, they are ignoring the fact that the same book carries quotes from various religious texts and teaches some good ideas. In another post he also notes that the rich are vilified and the book gives the idea that making money is anti-social.
Let me tell you my friends, things are NOT as simple as it seems. I suggest you completely read the seventh standard textbook before forming opinions. Clearly there is material in it which I would say is “controversial” and sometimes is of bad taste. Creating social tension should never be the aim of a textbook. We already have too much strikes and lockouts in the state. The textbook clearly encourages new generation to be worse (and violent) than the current one.
7 comments
Kenney
June 26th, 2008, 11:28 pm | #
All that the book does is to make the students think for themselves.
I dont think thats a crime !!!!
Nikhil Narayanan
June 26th, 2008, 11:36 pm | #
@JK
Worth reading
http://tvmtalkies.com/archives/474
http://tvmrising.blogspot.com/2008/06/storm-in-teacuperrrtextbook.html
Tom Lee
June 27th, 2008, 1:33 am | #
In the end of the day we are all just “one people”. We might look a bit different, have different customs etc, however inside us we still have the same feelings, hopes, joys etc.
Nikhil
June 27th, 2008, 3:15 am | #
I went through the text book and here are my comments:
Having an excerpt from AK Gopalan’s (auto)biography is not expected. He is a well known communist leader of yester years. This is like bombarding commie thoughts in class 7.
The style in which “Kudiyozhippikkal” and Karivellur Samaram are introduced indeed has a commie angle.
Too much stress on Land Reforms, unwanted.
Would a 7th standard kid understand Smt KR Gouriamma’s response to a bill, as told in the assembly?? Why are they doing this?
Pages on Human Devlopment Indices of Kerala, good, acceptable.
I don’t understand-what is being taught? Time line of the social changes?
Why is there an excerpt on how lower caste women used to have food left over by Antarjanams(Namboodiri Brahmin women)??? What are the commies trying to convey?
Channar Revolt-unwanted , again selling commie ideology.
Vaikom and Guruvayoor Satyagrahams-These should have been the ONLY one to be included in the text book, rather worth including.
Pratyaksha Rakshasabha-why get into every single point of social equality.
Wouldn’t the mention of Vaikom or Guruvayur be enough?
Same with the mention of Muslim Ikyasangham.
After going through all these portions, a 7th standard kid reaches a chapter that says, say no not only to caste, but religion. Should these things be taught in school, that too at this level?
Having the lines from all holy books-accepted.
But, I still haven’t understood the relevance of a question that asks which religion would be affected the max by inflation, water scarcity, contagious diseases and earthquake..!!!
May be they wanted the answer, people of all religions would be affected. sigh!
Chapter 3
Iniyum Muttott-the mention of Palm Oil rates was unwanted, rest accepted.
The next page that mentions a “rich guy” who says he will do whatever with his land while a passerby comments why are people protesting? These two kinds of people are painted a shade of ENEMY;yes, the commies what more jobless people for DYFI , SFI whatever.
The text says, “As discussed in a class, these were the meanings of Freedom”; instead this should have been an open discussion in every class. Shouldn’t that been a better way to do it rather than already having 4 meanings for freedom.
Parts of the British coming in-well, good! But comparing it with today’s situation? Do they expect an answer of the lines of communism?? Please, gimme a break!!!
Parts on Bhagat Singh and other revolutionaries-acceptable.
Throwing light on the revolt of 1857, Jalianwalla Bagh massacare-yes, much needed at this level. If not in class 7, when?
Other parts on Indian History like pages on Khilafat,Dandi Satyagraha,Quit India-acceptable.
This chapter ends with a note to start a discussion on Land grabbing, caste/gender based discrimination, accumulation of wealth–is this an NDTV debate?
News clippings on Forest Guards/Excise attacked,or Sand/Liqour mafia attacking people-UNWANTED.
Then why not include DYFI/SFI vandalising,killing people in Kannur??? HUH!
Asking the students to compare the British discipline to India’s prgress(ie Mukesh Ambani’s wealth)-Weird, useless
Portion on length of day/night-acceptable.
Other geography portions, parts on civilizations and the rest of the book seem fine to me.
JK
June 27th, 2008, 12:52 pm | #
Nikhil,
Thanks for the links and the detailed comment. In the next election, this administration will be booted out and the UDF guys will come in and rewrite the entire book. Thus every five years we will have students learning different ideologies. What fun!
Nikhil Narayanan
June 28th, 2008, 4:42 am | #
Sad but true. I can see that happening.
prasanth
July 12th, 2008, 10:12 am | #
My request is to never withdraw the
chapter ‘Mathamillaatha jeevan’.
One india One nation that should be our motto. As far as religious forces are concerned kerala will be soon swallowed by
these highly poisnous snakes. This will
turn kerala as what vivekanandan said once..
‘Mental asylum’
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