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The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
KSHEC's new textbook on Kerala's knowledge systems sparks objections from teacher bodies
A new textbook proposed by the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) as a mandatory course for third-semester undergraduate students has drawn objections from academic quarters, particularly Left-aligned teacher organisations. Titled Knowledge Systems of Kerala, the textbook is intended as a compulsory multidisciplinary course of the four-year undergraduate programme. However, critics argue that the council is overstepping its bounds by infringing on the authority of statutory academic bodies in universities that are mandated with curriculum development. KSHEC maintains that the textbook offers an introductory framework on Kerala's indigenous knowledge systems, developed over centuries. According to council vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal P.M., the bilingual publication (in English and Malayalam) brings together a wide spectrum of Kerala's traditional knowledge, encompassing performing arts, cultural practices, oral narratives and documented literary sources. The book comprises nine chapters, covering themes such as regional knowledge systems, traditional knowledge of ethnic communities, embedded knowledge in crafts and architecture, Ayurvedic practices, and the emergence of new knowledge in the State. Chapters highlighting the contributions of social reformers like Sree Narayana Guru, Ayya Vaikundar and Poykayil Yohannan are among the key features of the textbook. While the publication aligns with the University Grants Commission's (UGC) directive to integrate Indian Knowledge Systems into higher education curricula, the council insists that the proposed content is tailored to Kerala's regional context, offering students locally grounded perspectives within the national framework. The Vice-Chancellors of State universities have been requested to direct their respective Boards of Studies to consider the textbook as a foundational resource for course design and syllabus preparation. The council has also encouraged universities to adopt this textbook in place of existing multidisciplinary courses such as Kerala Studies and Kerala Culture. However, Left-leaning teacher bodies have raised concerns over what they describe as a lack of consultation prior to the decision. They argue that the proposed text leans heavily on historical narratives, while neglecting other significant dimensions of Kerala's diverse traditions and legacy. Countering such allegations, Prof. Gurukkal pointed out the course is not confined to any one academic discipline. He added that the book is structured as a complete course, with clearly defined learning outcomes and reference materials that would reduce the burden of universities to develop such content independently. KSHEC plans to organise a faculty development programme to train teachers in delivering the new course material.
India.com
4 days ago
- India.com
List Of Pilgrimage Places To Be Explored Near Varkala
A spiritual pilgrimage can lead you to several destinations that are known for their peace and sanctity. Varkala is a serene coastal town located in the southern Indian state of Kerala, sitting prettily amidst the unspoilt splendor of the Arabian Sea. Famous for its beautiful cliffs, golden beaches, and holy waters, Varkala can enchant travelers with its natural beauty, as well as allure pilgrims with its divine vigor. Encircling the breathtaking coastal wonderland are a series of pilgrim centers that act as restful havens to contemplate, ponder or connect in a spiritual form. Here we will go through the catalogue of pilgrimage spots around Varkala, Indian soul journeys Sivagiri Mutt A few kilometres away from Varkala is this very famous Mutt that holds a special place in the heart of a devotee especially followers of Sree Narayana Guru to whom this mutt belongs. With its peaceful setting amid greenery the spiritual abode sits atop the Sivagiri Hill. The Mutt is decorated with flags and contains the samadhi of Sree Narayan Guru Travellers come to the site to tribute the holy man and his teachings on love, equality, and selflessness in hopes of finding spiritual enlightenment. Janardhana Swamy Temple Located in the charming hamlet of Varkala, the Janardhana Swamy Temple is a sparkling example of Kerala's infinite cultural legacy and religious zeal. Built of sandstone, the temple is said to be more than 2,000 years old and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The devout visit this holy site in large numbers to offer prayers and obtain blessings for material abundance, peace, and salvation. The architectural details of the temple along with the intricate carvings and colourful murals enchant one and all with a sense of divinity and peacefulness. Kappil Bhagavathy Temple Located in the picturesque backwaters of Kappil, this Kappil Bhagavathy temple is the abode of Goddess Bhadrakali, the mighty and benign deity worshipped for her protective power. Hemmed in by verdant coconut groves and swaying palms, this temple radiates an air of mystique drawing pilgrims in search of divine intervention and spiritual solace. The annual festival of Meena Bharani, an occasion where ardent devotees come from across the land to make vibrant offerings, takes place, a reminder if need be that the temple continues to be a holy pilgrim site. Ponnumthuruthu Island The 'Golden Island,' Ponnumthuruthu Island is a beautiful escape in to the serene backwaters of Kerala. An isolated paradise, this island, which houses the Shiva Parvathi Temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati (accessible through a tranquil boat ride from Varkala), Located amidst verdant woods along the forest edges and sparkling waters, the shrine provides a tranquil sanctuary for the devotees to seclude themselves for the spiritual healing for the pupils who seek light from the almighty. The serene surroundings of Ponnumthuruthu Island help oneself to do soul searching, and hence, it is considered a favourite abode for spiritual beings. Final Thoughts In a nutshell, the pilgrimage sites in the vicinity of Varkala, India, provide a divine haven for pilgrims and devotees – a pilgrimage otherworldly! Ranging from the ancient temples rich in tradition, to the serene islands which lure in nature lovers all on top of the other units to be seen, each of the destinations calls the pilgrimage with their own uniqueness and with the weight of their spiritual importance. Appealing for solace, enlightenment and to experience the divine: these sacred sites offer time and space for meditation and reflection and to be in touch with spiritual renewal. Any pilgrim stepping out on the path of faith will sense the timeless pull of Varkala and the nearby places of pilgrimage; a simultaneity of the spiritual and the sublime.
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CM urges artistes, writers to champion Kerala's cultural progress
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has stressed the crucial role of cultural, literary, and artistic voices in steering Kerala's progress, seeking the active involvement of stakeholders to enrich the State's social fabric. He was speaking at Parasparam, an interaction with cultural leaders held at Lulu Convention Centre in Thrissur on Monday, as part of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's fourth anniversary celebrations. 'Kerala continues to uphold secular values and humanitarian principles. Artistes and writers have historically played a transformative role in shaping a progressive society,' the Chief Minister said. However, he stressed the need for introspecting if such interventions continued with the same intensity today. 'Resist regressive forces' Highlighting Kerala's unique cultural identity, the Chief Minister underscored the contributions of social reformers such as Sree Narayana Guru in eradicating superstitions and promoting social awareness. He called upon cultural activists to stand united in resisting regressive forces and to act with clarity and conviction in defending the State's secular and progressive legacy. Addressing questions about the Nava Keralam vision, he clarified that it was not just about one-dimensional development but about inclusive growth that reached every section and corner of the State. 'We aim to elevate our society to match the living standards of middle-income countries, with a strong foundation in social commitment and public welfare,' he said. Mr. Vijayan said that the State would be free of extreme poverty by November 1, thanks to strengthened public distribution, education, and health-care systems. Inclusivity Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian, in his address, described Parasparam as a tribute to the government's nine-year journey and the cultural community's support. 'Our government has rolled out several model initiatives for artistes, from the Vajra Jubilee Fellowship to extensive outreach in folk and tribal arts,' he said. Projects had been tailored for differently abled, coastal, tribal, and transgender artistes to ensure inclusivity in the cultural landscape, he added. The event began with a traditional welcome dance by the Guru Gopinath Natanagramam. Ministers K. Rajan and R. Bindu; Planning Board Vice-Chairman V.K. Ramachandran; K. Radhakrishnan, MP; Thrissur Mayor M.K. Varghese; P. Balachandran, A.C. Moideen, and Murali Perunelli, MLAs; district panchayat president V.S. Prince; Cultural Affairs Director Divya S. Iyer; and District Collector Arjun Pandian took part. Organised by the Department of Culture, over 2,500 cultural activists from 14 districts attended the event and 15 distinguished individuals were honoured on stage for their contributions.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘We do not identify as Hindu… no stake in Waqf issue but fighting in SC for Muslims': Founder of Kerala trust
Kerala-based Sree Narayana Manava Dharmam Trust has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The trust, which propagates the teachings of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, has said the changes to the Waqf Act 'threaten the very existence of the Muslim community in India'. Founder-chairperson of the trust and former director of the National Judicial Academy Dr G Mohan Gopal speaks to The Indian Express about the Waqf Act and their decision to go to the Supreme Court, among other issues. Excerpts: Firstly, we reject the Hindu label and do not identify ourselves as a Hindu trust. We follow the principles of Sree Narayana Guru, who advocated one caste, one religion and one God. He had rejected the concept of Hinduism as a religion. Our trust, which was founded in 2023, should be seen as the voice of the Sree Narayana community in Kerala. We are against projecting Guru as a Hindu figure. *So are you against the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, seen to be the most powerful outfit of the Sree Narayana (Ezhava) community in Kerala? We are not against any organisation. A section of the SNDP Yogam has gone against the Guru's teachings and embraced Hinduism. However, many members still follow his teachings. We are a clarifying force rather than a corrective one, and are getting people to reach the Guru directly instead of depending on interpretations. We are conducting programmes to ensure this happens, and social peace and harmony prevails. As a trust, we do not have any stake in the issue, but we are fighting for the cause of Muslims. Many people have appreciated us, but those who want to polarise society and isolate minorities are not happy. The amendment has abolished the very mechanism of Waqf and replaced it with a State system. It violates four features laid down by the Prophet. By handing over the administration to non-Muslims, it is breaking the laid-down foundation that Waqf must be administered in accordance with Muslim traditions. The Act tampers with the fundamentals of the Waqf system and will destroy the system which was put in place to look after poor Muslims. The Act imposes several restrictions on the creation of Waqf, impacting the flow of funds. The creation of Waqf is not possible verbally and needs to be done only through deeds. Dedication of property is vital for Waqf. Besides, the definition set by the government is so wide (as to) enable any government or its organisation to stake claim on a property. A district collector can now walk into any property… The matter of indiscriminate powers to the Waqf boards is a separate issue. The effects will be felt in 20 years. Muslim institutions will start feeling the paucity of funds. There may not be enough money to even run a madarsa. When there is not enough money to run religious institutions, the existence of the religion will be in trouble. … It is a big risk. You are attacking the viability of religious institutions and therefore the financial viability of a religion. To practise religion, one needs financial resources. Cutting of financial resources means suffocating the practice of religion. People are not going to accept it. Do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. It is an issue of facts and there is a mechanism to determine facts. If a Waqf board decision is wrong, there is a remedy in the Waqf tribunal, over which the High Court has jurisdiction. Munambam is not in the larger scheme of things. It is being used to create Islamophobia. How many temples have (similar) land disputes? However, these disputes have never been used to target a community. The Munambam land row is being used to attack Muslims.
Mint
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Kerala Hindu body moves SC against Waqf Act - ‘threatens the very existence of the Muslim community'
A Kerala-based Hindu organisation, has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, arguing that the law threatens the very existence of the Muslim community in India, legal news website Bar and Bench reported. The organisation, Sree Narayana Manava Dharmam Trust, established in 2023 to study and dissemination of the values and teachings of the sage and philosopher Sree Narayana Guru, has sought to intervene in the batch of petitions challenging the provisions of the amended Waqf law. "Given the teaching of Sree Narayana Guru about the inter-dependent nature of the well-being of all persons and communities, the 'Sree Narayana Manava Dharmam Trust' cannot be an idle spectator to the devastating impact of the impugned Act taken as a whole on the Muslim community of India and to social justice in our country," it has told the top court, Bar and Bench, reported. On 5 May, Chief Justice of India, Sanjiv Khanna bowed out of the Waqf law case, with four working days left in his tenure ahead of retirement on May 13, saying he did not want to reserve or pass any interim orders. The hearing on Waqf petitions will has been listed before a bench headed by justice Bhushan R Gavai on 15 May. The Centre has filed its 1,332-page preliminary affidavit in the Supreme Court seeking dismissal of petitions, pointing out a "mischievous false narrative" surrounding certain provisions of the law. On 17 April, the SC granted the Centre a week's time to file a response to the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the controversial law. The government then assured the apex court that it would neither denotify waqf properties, including "waqf by user", nor make any appointments to the Central Waqf Council and boards till 5 May. "The impugned Act explicitly but erroneously treats the Waqf mechanism as a non- religious institution, thus deleting in its entirety the body of Islamic law as the basic governing law of Waqf, replacing Islamic law with the law laid down by the Impugned Act," the application by Sree Narayana Manava Dharmam Trust says. It argues that the amended law imposes on the entire Muslim community of the country "an unconstitutional sui generis state-designed and state-imposed scheme" for controlling charitable donations by Muslims. "The Impugned Act is un ultra vires because the Parliament has no power to impose such a scheme on any section of the people and is therefore a fraud on the Constitution. This sui generis state-designed and state-imposed scheme violates the constitutional rights of the Muslim community under Articles 21, 25, 26 and 29(1)," the plea adds. The petition has also argued that Muslim community will be left without the economic and financial wherewithal to sustain the practice of their religion as a result of the government takeover of the Waqf mechanism. "The Impugned Act thus threatens the very existence of the Muslim community in India which depends for its survival on the Waqf mechanism which has been for centuries, and continues to be, the most important source of economic and financial resources essential for the practice and survival of Islam in India. As the Impugned Act will liquidate the economic and financial foundations of the Muslim community," the plea states. The top court recently refused to entertain any fresh plea against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, saying it had already been made clear that the court would hear only five of the over 70 litigants on the issue. The Centre notified the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 last month after it got President Droupadi Murmu's assent on April 5. The Impugned Act threatens the very existence of the Muslim community in India which depends for its survival on the Waqf mechanism. The top court recently refused to entertain any fresh plea against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, saying it had already been made clear that the court would hear only five of the over 70 litigants on the issue. The Centre notified the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 last month after it got President Droupadi Murmu's assent on April 5. First Published: 5 May 2025, 05:21 PM IST
