KOCHI: IS the Kerala society shedding the attire of rigid religious sentiments and ideologies to embrace an era of free thinking? According to a statement made by state Education Minister C Raveendranath in the Assembly, the parents of 1,24,147 students have not entered the religion and caste of their wards while admitting them to the schools in 2017-18. While the rationalists and Leftists claim it is an indication of the rise of a new generation of progressive thinkers, the devout and various religious organisations’ leaders rubbish it as a statistical aberration.
“This is the most pleasant and inspiring news I’ve heard in recent times,” said writer and activist M N Karassery. “At a time when an impression is being created that Kerala has turned more radical and people are increasingly falling under the grip of religious slavery, the minister’s revelation ignites a lamp of hope. I urge the government to release a district-wise list of the children who have broken free from the clutches of religion. The media, activists and secular communities should give it wide publicity. There is a wrong impression among the people that if we don’t enter the details of our religion and caste, it will be difficult to get a job.”
According to former forest minister and senior CPI leader Binoy Viswam, the fact that around 1.24 lakh students have not declared their religion and caste at schools is an indication that the societyis growing. “A secular state is duty-bound to encourage such trends. The fundamentalists and fascists are trying to use religion as an institution to divide people and undermine the social values of society.
It is heartening to hear such a huge number of youngsters have come forward to give up religion, which is promising for the future of Kerala. The constitution of India upholds the need to promote scientific temper. Religion is a reality in our society and most of the people are religious. But the believers should think what is happening to the religion. Money and power are the new Gods. Those who believe in religions should be concerned about this deterioration of moral values,” he said.