Kerala High Court objects to Peace School textbook

Kochi: Kerala High Court on Monday observed that the controversial textbook seized from Peace International School had objectionable content unacceptable to a secular society. “Though so many portions of the teaching material are referred to in the prosecution records, one which I find really objectionable is a portion given as "activity" for the children, to teach how to become a Muslim. No doubt, it is highly objectionable, and it cannot be accepted or tolerated in a secular society. If so taught, as prescribed in the particular portion, there is no doubt at all that will defile the mind of the small children belonging to Muslim Community," it held.

The court made the observation while granting bail to three accused in the controversial textbook case - Dawood Vaid, Sahil Syed and Sameed Ahmed Shaik all of Nerul Mumbai. Mr Dawood is the founder of Burooj Realisation, its publishers. The court observed that others who taught the materials remain to be arrested. For that purpose alone, these petitioners need not be kept in custody.

The court observed: "The case diary contains a report by the district educational office, which indicates the books being taught as part of the secular curriculum. No doubt, if the objectionable part is being taught as part of the secular curriculum, it will defile the mind of the other children also. It will cause harm to them, and it will disturb the public tranquillity also. Communal harmony must, at all costs, be protected even while protecting the right to religion under Article 25 of the Constitution of India."

The petitioners argued that the objectionable material is meant only for religious instructions and it is confined to a particular section of the students as per of religious instructions. The court, however, held that these aspects would have to be "properly and appropriately examined" by the investigating officer. The court asked the accused to execute a bond of Rs 50,000 along with two solvent sureties. It stressed that one of the sureties should be a Keralite having definite identity and solvency. The petitioner shall report before the investigating officer between 10 am and 11 am.