Signalling the emergence of a new, secular Kerala, as many as 1.26 lakh school students in the state do not belong to any particular religion or caste. According to the statistics submitted by Education Minister Professor C Raveendranath in the Assembly the other day, a total of 1,24,147 students -  from Class I to higher secondary classes - have sought admissions without specifying their religion or caste.

Of this, 1,23,630 are studying in Classes I to X, 278 in first-year higher secondary and 239 in second year higher secondary classes. No student admitted to the vocational higher secondary schools left the religion column blank. 

The minister's revelation was in reply to a question by Vamanapuram MLA D K Murali.  "This is a happy news. Our country provides for the freedom to live without joining any religion or caste. I didn't know that a significant number has utilised that freedom," he said. 

The Left legislator feels a secular young generation is on the rise, who wants to give freedom of religion to their children. "I congratulate these parents who have a positive outlook in grooming children. Let the children select their own religion or remain religion-less after they become mature enough," he said.