The headmaster asked the parents, who had come with their ward, to sit in the chairs before him, and began to fill the application form.
"What’s your name, son?"
"Jeevan"
"Good. Nice name. Father’s name?"
"Anvar Rashid."
"Mother’s name?"
"Lakshmi Devi."
The headmaster raised his head, looked at the parents and asked:
"Which religion should we write?"
"None. Write there is no religion."
"Caste?"
"The same."
The headmaster leaned back in his chair and asked a little gravely:
"What if he feels the need for a religion when he grows up?"
"Let him choose his religion when he feels so."
This is the passage that has been singled out by the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), the Church and Muslim organisations. They are demanding immediate withdrawal of the Class VII social studies book, being taught under the Kerala board, from which this passage has been taken.
The reason? Large portions of the book, they allege, is an an attempt to teach atheism to impressionable schoolchildren. They say that such lessons and others which illustrate caste cruelties will sow sectarian discontent.
The last week has seen pro-UDF "student activists" out on the streets, burning text-books, fighting pitched battles with the police and damaging public property.
… such lessons and others which illustrate caste cruelties will sow sectarian discontent. Aha!!! Children shouldn’t be taught about caste cruelties (and other religious injustices) then? How very convenient for those who would like nothing better than to have a stranglehold over young minds – to sculpt them according to age old prejudices that perpetuate the discriminatory, exploitative and divisive religious status quo.
Whenever a thought or deed is deemed "secular and atheist" and it simultaneously provokes the united ire of august bodies such as pander-prone government coalitions and Indian religious organizations, it usually means that it is a progressive and benefical idea. Kerala’s Left Democratic Front (LDF) government has agreed to examine the text books. But despite the protests and violence, the state has refused to withdraw the "secular" content of the lessons. Kudos to the Kerala government and the state school board. I hope they can withstand the book burning and threats from bullies and let the "offending" passages stand. We’ll have to wait and see how much courage they have in store.
See the full report in Outlook India. (link via 3QD)
Accidental Blogger 
5 responses to “Jeevan, the Casteless”
It is Kerala Model 2nd.
4m my comment at http://mutiny.in/2008/06/28/a-textbook-and-related-politics/#comments
That particular chapter is without doubt one of the well constructed chapter in the Kerala school text, given the socio-political situation in Kerala.
And there’s no parallel to that in the whole world!!! AT THE MOMENT, A CHAPTER LIKE THAT WILL NEVER APPEAR IN TEXT BOOKS IN ANY OTHER PART Of THE WORLD.
See what is happening in UK (US is not much different )
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jun/25/faithschools.education
Anousics, people with a worrying range of beliefs and practices, are indoctrinating our children with the full support of the government.
The KERALA MODEL again. Celebrate the wisdom of the ppl behind the chapter.
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Interesting links, mks. When reading the original page in Malayalam, it doesn’t seem all that controversial- it’s very much a potential real life situation with the parents being of different religion and choosing not to fill out the ‘Religion’ or ‘Caste’ entries in the admission form. Evidently the opposition in Kerala has little else to do other than making a mountain out of a molehill.
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I was wondering if the outrage is caused partially by the names of the parents – Muslim father and Hindu mother. So, Jeevan is doubly unacceptable to fundies of all stripes not only because he is religion free and casteless but perhaps also due to the fact that he is the product of a “mixed” marriage. Too many taboos have been smashed in one short passage.
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One more thing, ‘Mathamillatha Jeevan’ translates to ‘Life without Religion’ in literal terms, so that could be the point of the opponents complaining that it propagates atheism. Of course, it’s taking a potshot at religiosity which accounts for the outrage of Christian and Muslim organizations, though. Here’s another interesting take with more analysis of what follows the chapter in question.
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this is not as innocent and noble/progressive as you say. indoctrination of leftist ideology is the agenda.leftist style of functioning is insufferble ‘cos of the force with which it is stuffed down the throat. living here and having to interact with the leftist for syllabus related matters is a very painful experience. they believe they are the last word on every issue. I love laddus, but if someone tries to stuff it down my throat, i’d fight tooth and nail.
but i dont endorse these end number of hartals and disruption of normal life in the name of a text book. the worst is the way students are used as tools by political parties. I have a blog on this issue titled-CRY MY BELOVED KERALA. i actually saw a slice of how these strikes are organised.
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