From HERE

“It is well-known that Microsoft wants to have a monopoly in the field of computer technology. Naturally, being a democratic and progressive government, we want to encourage the spread of free software,” M. A. Baby, the state’s education minister, said by telephone.

Microsoft was not being banned, he said, but the government was actively encouraging Kerala’s 12,500 schools to switch to the Linux operating system, available around the world free of charge.
It seems insulting that they want to use Linux, not because of its quality, but because its free. At the very least, they should donate to Linux, and all similar developers, to help encourage their continuation in developing such openware.