We can't go verify anything (at least until/unless a credible source comes to the defense of the book on the curriculum - it's the sort of controversy, if it doesn't die fast, that might well attract the attention of Eco), but it's also well known Italy have had and is still having social problems related to xenophobia and racism (and there's many Italians who ressent a lot the influence the CC still has on public life)

Dante's book is a medieval classic and one of the monuments of Italian culture. However, it's far from the only one the education system can choose to focus on, and it's a perfectly legitimate opinion to question the wisdom of leaving a book like this on the curriculum in the current socio-political climate, and considering modern values.

It's also a perfectly valid opinion that the book ought to stay on the curriculum, but the way it's presented changes to take into account the modern values and the fact far from all students nowadays are catholics - that the aspects of the book that can be construed as dubious or risqué within an education system that aim to promote anti-racism or religious prejudices. That book was always meant to be provocative and offensive and it has salvoes for everyone, really. Many would argue that placing works like the Divine Comedy that could be construed as racist/xenophobic in the closet is hardly the right way to teach the right values to today's students (Eco notably would likely be of that opinion). Ironically, the way this groups attacks Dante is rather similar to the way some Italian Rabbi and a Catholic theologian writing for the OR attacked Eco's latest novel.

If in the education system the DC is taught merely for its artistic/literay value and no effort at all are made to address some of the values it carries and why and how they differ from modern ones, I can understand why its presence on the curriculum could irritate a lot some progressists.

As for their ridiculous mediatic controversy and virulent (and in many places misguided or vicious) attacks at the catholic culture/values in there... well, that's Italy for you. This sounds very much not like a rationally presented, temperate attempt to have the book removed from the curriculum so much as a call to arms to all those in favour of laicity in Italian civil life and to shake their complacency by appealing to emotions and outrage. Very populist...

Every time a controversy like this arises in Italy it always seems to turn into this sort of mud fight, especially when it concerns religious issues or the CC. Militant atheists or promoters of laicity there seem compelled to turn into rabid dogs, and the Catholic defenders are hardly more temperate in their opinions. There's a serious lack of moderation and rationality from both sides. It's always weird/funny to watching this from outside the Italian society.