Over 50,000 Catholics join rally against Communist–inspired textbook

Reiterating the Church's opposition to the controversial school textbook in Kerala, over 50,000 Catholics took part in a 'faith protection rally'.

The rally organised by the Cheganacherry archdiocese, protested the social–studies textbook for 7th grade students, which allegedly glorifies atheism, communist ideas and revolutionary violence.

Introduced by the state government under its Communist leadership, the Church from the start has been opposing the communist ideas and anti–religious texts that according to the church might 'divert young minds'.

Father Philip Nelpurackal, secretary of the education commission for the 29 dioceses of Kerala, told CWM that the Catholic educational institutions of the diocese were shut today, after the Communist party supporters attacked many Catholics returning from the rally, including women and children.

Similar rallies to pressurise the government to withdraw the controversial textbook, will be held in other dioceses in the state