The Hindu : New Delhi News : Changes in textbook will not do, says Chennithala

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 19, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

New Delhi

New Delhi

Changes in textbook will not do, says Chennithala

Special Correspondent

KPCC to continue agitation till the book is withdrawn

Says report of review panel vindicates party stand
Claims changes proposed by the government nothing more than window-dressing

New Delhi: Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Ramesh Chennithala on Friday demanded withdrawal of the Class VII social science textbook stating that mere changes in content would not suffice. Briefing mediapersons here, he said, “We will not call off our agitation till the textbook is withdrawn.”

According to Mr. Chennithala, the Congress stand on the Class VII textbook was vindicated by the interim report of the review committee which had found many faults in the content. “What is the point in the government coming out with a summary and then revising the textbook after the final report? Instead, it should just be withdrawn.”

As to why the KPCC had not involved itself in the ongoing agitation, Mr. Chennithala said the Kerala Students Union and the Youth Congress – which were spearheading the movement – had been very effective. “The KPCC will take the lead if we think it necessary,” he added.

As for the changes that are being proposed by the State government in the textbook, Mr. Chennithala – who was accompanied by Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Oommen Chandy – described it as “nothing more than window dressing.”

Youth Congress demand

Special Correspondent writes from Thiruvananthapuram: The Youth Congress State committee has demanded Education Minister M.A. Baby’s resignation owning up responsibility for the mistakes that have crept into the English version of Class VII Social Science textbook. Youth Congress State general secretaries John Vinitius and R.V. Rajesh, in a statement here on Friday, said the Minister had been misleading the people. The Youth Congress would continue its agitation demanding the withdrawal of the textbook and cancellation of the appointments made to the post of assistant grade in Kerala University.

The organisation would organise a 30-minute blockade in all 140 constituencies from 11 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. on July 19 in support of its various demands.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi