Tomb removals to be scrapped (2)

Zhu Wei, the Party chief of a local village in Zhoukou took the lead by removing 28 tombs belonging to his family. He demanded that other village officials follow suit or be fired while teachers who didn't obey would be suspended.

Early this month, 26 scholars across the country signed an open letter, criticizing the massive campaign in Henan as a poor move that has infringed on people's freedom to worship and devastated traditional Chinese culture.

The appeal said that the campaign should be stopped as soon as possible.

"This revision sends a positive message that our government is beginning to care about the public's feelings instead of just simply pursuing material development," Yao Zhongqiu, a professor with Beihang University who initiated the appeal, told the Global Times. "It shows a change in the government's mentality," he said.

"The tombs are very important to Chinese people as it shows our respect for the dead. Governments should put such worship before others," Yao said, adding that he believes the revision came in response to their appeal.

The Hubei provincial government revised its funeral regulations by removing a similar article in January.