The controversy over a school text book is currently rocking Kerala politics. Opposition students and youth wings have come forward against the VII standard ‘Social Studies’ text book.
Kerala Students Union (KSU) and Youth Congress marches held in this connection caused tension in many places. Many students, MLAs and police were injured in clashes. Church spokesmen and other religious organizations have been coming out against the controversial book too.
While this issue is widely debated in the media, a copy of the controversial lesson is circulated among Keralites outside India. I have gone through the lesson myself to find out the facts. According to critics, the controversial lesson, “Mathamillatha Jeevan” (Jeevan without religion), will lead children to become anti-religious and make them outrageous.
Kerala Catholic Bishop’s Council has released its protest circular against the text book. Muslim League, NSS, and similar organizations also have released statements against the controversial lesson. Minister for education, M.A. Baby however made it clear that there is no move to change contents of the book. But the government has agreed to discuss the issue with opposition parties.
But it is not as dangerous as pictured by some politicians and religious leaders. Birth brings religion automatically affixed and one has no choice as he is born.
Let us examine the mostly debated part in that text. A scene is depicted in the text book which is as follows.
A student with his parents is interviewed by headmaster as part of school admission procedure. He asks student’s name first and parents’ name later. “Jeevan”, the student pronounced his name. He also replied that his father’s name as “Anvar Rasheed” and mother’s name as “Lakshmi Devi”. Next, the headmaster turned to parents asking, “which religion should I mention?” “You could avoid registering religion” replied the parents. “Caste?”, the headmaster asked again. “No need to mention that too.”
After a few moments, Headmaster asked, “when he grows up, what if he longed to have a religion? “He can decide what he likes at that time”, replied the parents.
I can not trace any dangerous problem in the above text in the book. There are also some other lessons which also invited criticism including Nehru’s comment on religion, presentation of freedom struggle in communist angle etc. But the protesters have mostly focused on “Mathamillatha Jeevan.” No religious faith is hurt here unlike the way it is portrayed. But it’s a reflection of progressive thinking.
Religion is a man-made system. Children have no concern over religion. But they have been imposed by family or the society before they have matured and attained discrimination ability. Is it impossible to grow spiritually without a religious background?
Is it impossible to attain spiritual knowledge outside the frame work of religion?
A recent study in America reveals it is possible.
Though religious events decline in college, students’ interest in spirituality tends to grow. Less than 25 percent of college juniors said they frequently attended religious services. About 20 percent freshmen said they never attend religious services. Many agreed that students who didn’t grow up in religious households were introduced spirituality from campuses. Main problem lies in this, is the combining of religion with spirituality. We have religious fanaticism than the real religion.
Religious fanaticism has never contributed to moral excellence or social integrity. Many countries are facing uncertainty due to hardcore religious imposition.
Where do Keralites stand now? Where is the development? Where is the change in human attitude? There seems to be nothing. Kerala is still running in reverse gear. The mindset of majority people, even though they are highly educated, is not progressive. Many are afraid of religious anathema. Religious fanatics impose even the dress code. Women are the victims of many imposed rules. Many progressive members within the community come forward against this attitude. But the hardcore principles on religion do not entertain such move within the community frame work.
In majority community, still there are issues concerning caste system and superstitions. Community organizations bargain either for job reservation or governmental benefits. Social awareness against social evils has least importance in their agenda. There is no wonder that a highly conservative society that follows the age old system in governance and education becomes cynical about the new book. Religion or faith is entirely depended on persons. Nobody has the right to impose that personal matter.
In this context one can not say that this single text is good enough to revolutionize entire education system or gain new standards or quality. But this step may be described as a progressive one. All the effort to politicize the system can be questioned. But the fuss over the text book in the name of religion is unnecessary.
Kerala education system has always been corrupted with intense politics. Either the teachers or the intellectuals sponsored by the ruling party prepare books for students.
They can do whatever they like. There is no proper monitoring system.
Each government tries to politicize that for their benefit.
The nexus of politics and religion is the other issue. Once the education system is freed from the political bigwigs and handed over to independent professional scholars, we can begin to see a ray of hope.
