Kozhikode: A meeting of Muslim organisations here on Thrusday asked the Kerala government to withdraw 'anti-religious' school textbook issued to class VII students under the new curriculum this year. The meeting warned the government of strong agitation if it failed to agree to its demand.

The meeting was called by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) state president Panakkad Muhammadali Shihab Thangal.

"The book has contents that are against religion. We have formed a high-power committee with presidents and secretaries of all organisations, which attended the meeting, as members. The committee will meet the chief minister and education minister soon, and will submit a petition. If they fail to resolve the issue, we will launch an intense agitation," Thangal told reporters after the meeting.

The Muslim groups are incensed at a chapter in the textbook under heading "Life without religion". The organisations allege that the Communist-led state government is 'indoctrinating' students with irreligious ideas and certain political beliefs.

The committee said the government went back on its promise given to Muslim organisations that no controversial content would be allowed in the new school curriculum.

The meeting was attended by the leaders of many influential Muslim organisations in the state. IANS