Three publishers of text books for Peace School Kerala, that contained objectionable and communal lessons have been arrested in Mumbai
Three publishes have been arrested in Mumbai on December 2 for publishing school texts, for Class 2, containing objectionable and communal lessons. The books contained objective type questions in connection with Islam, one’s life for Allah, conversion to Islam, etc. The arrested are Dawood Muhammed Vaid, Sameed Ahmed Sheikh and Sahil Hameed.
Kochi City Police arrested the Mumbai publishes for printing the aforementioned books for the Peace International School in Ernakulam. Organiser had carried a detailed story on this school in its issue dated August 14, 2016. The three publishes were running a publishing trust called Burooj Realization. They are charged for printing text books promoting religious enmity. The text books in question were allegedly taught in Classes I to VIII at the Peace School. They were under keen police observation since October, 2016. A team of Kerala Police visited Mumbai for further investigation. Police could trace them due to the details printed in the books.
The police and school curriculum committee had earlier found that the books contained objectionable materials. The text books were not prescribed by the State School Curriculum; and, a large portion of the syllabus was concerning Islam.
The police has registered a case against the three under IPC Section 153 (A) for promoting enmity among religious groups. They were later produced before the court. As Organiser had earlier reported The Peace School drew the attention of the journalists and police in connection with the missing of 21 persons who allegedly fled the state and joined IS in Afghaninstan or Syria. Several of them were connected with the School in one way or other. But the people of Kerala still find it difficult to believe that the authorities or trustees of the school live sans facing any police enquiry.
The CPM-led LDF government of Pinarayi Vijayan appears to be opting to keep aloof from the issue of national security. And, the UDF led by Congress does not move a single finger against the School. It looks like both are after the vote bank politics. BJP and the Hindu Aikya Vedi are the two organisations which staged marches and protests against the School so far. —T Satisan, Kochi
