From correspondents in India, 11:00 PM IST

Muslim organisations in Kerala are in talks with Hindu and Christian groups for a joint stir to demand the withdrawal of a controversial social studies textbook that has been termed anti-religious, P.K. Kunhalikutty, state general secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), said here Saturday.

'Talks for an agitation are already on with Nair and Christian communities at different levels,' said Kunhalikutty after a meeting of the committee formed by various Muslim organisations to coordinate the agitation against the Class 7 textbook.

Many political and religious organisations in Kerala allege that the new textbook, brought out by the Communist Party of India-Marxist-led Left Democratic Front government, is anti-religious and promotes communist ideology.

The meeting also decided to announce the agitation in all mosques in Kerala Friday to exhort the Muslim community to support the stir.

For the past month, Kerala has witnessed a string of violent agitations by political organisations demanding withdrawal of the textbook.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)