Religious sentiments and a textbook

Religion becomes controversial again. In Kerala, a small state in India, a seventh standard social science book has sparked political and religious controversy. The religious organisations and Opposition parties have found a chapter in the textbook as spreading communism and atheism. They also say that the Marxist government was trying to propagate Marxist ideology through the book.

 

Even after the Opposition and the religious organisations protesting against the controversial book, the government is so adamant of not withdrawing the textbook. Meanwhile the government has appointed an expert committee to look into the complaints raised regarding the textbook.

 

A chapter in the social textbook tells a story of a boy born to parents of different religions (Hindu father and Muslim mother). At the admission time, the principal asks about the religion. The father says that the boy will choose his own religion when he becomes mature. The Opposition parties and the religious groups have questioned it asking if the statement reflected secularists’ idea or anti-religious sentiments. But what is the rational of their questioning? In this modern world, inter-religious marriages are common and no parent can insist that his or her son should be brought up according to his or her ways. It is better that the kids choose, if at all needed, later when they mature.