The Communist-led government of the southwestern Indian state of Kerala (map) has removed a lesson on St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara (1805-1871) from the school syllabus.

“It is a deliberate attempt to ignore the contributions of St. Chavara in reforming the caste-ridden society of Kerala through the light of education,” said Father Jacob Palakkappilly, spokesman for the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council.