For quite long textbook row is ritual for political parties in Kerala. The former LDF government in Kerala had seen frequent protests by religious organizations and the UDF demanding withdrawal lessons like “ Matha millatha jeevanj( Jeevan without religion)” in school textbooks. Now it is the turn of comrades to demand deletion of portions causing distress to them. The whole episode resembles: history repeats first as a tragedy then as a comedy.
The Kerala comrades have started studying text books when UDF came into power and by this time they have finished reading up to standard six of the ICSE syllabus. When they started reading standard seven they have come across a serious mistake and found that a particular portion about land lord and farmer “ Murickan” is a distortion of history ridiculing the revolutionary land reforms movement initiated by the first communist government.
Interestingly the chapter titled Murickan was prepared by journalist TJS George, nevertheless, the comrades show no grudge to George because he is often the orator in many functions of party outfits like DYFI and SFI. Actually George’s claim about Murickan’s role in the reclamation of the Kuttanad farmlands was based on historical facts but comrades are not ready to admit it.
Any way the lesson is an opportunity for Amul bread ICSE students to hear about Rani, Chithira, Marthandam and EMS and it is not harmful as Mathmillatha jeevan.
K A Solaman, The Deccan Chronicle published on 28-7-11
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