THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has issued a stern warning that schools will not be allowed to become breeding grounds for communalism, following reports that some private managements in the state imposed restrictions on Christmas celebrations and refunded money collected from students for the event.
According to reports, some private schools allegedly run by organisations affiliated with the Sangh Parivar, along with a privately managed school under a Hindu management, had cancelled Christmas celebrations, Vartha Bharati reported.
The allegations were reported by Deshabhimani, the CPI(M)’s mouthpiece. However, the schools and managements concerned have denied the claims.
Describing such developments as unprecedented in a state known for its high level of democratic consciousness and long-standing secular tradition, the Kerala government has ordered an urgent inquiry into the matter.
Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty stated that no one would be allowed to introduce the “North Indian model” of dividing people on the basis of religion or religious belief in educational institutions in Kerala.
Speaking to reporters, the minister said schools are spaces where children learn and grow together, and any attempt to divide students on the basis of caste or religion, or to instil divisive ideas among them, is unacceptable.
He further noted that festivals such as Onam, Christmas, and Eid have traditionally been celebrated in schools across the state, helping children learn values of mutual respect, love, and peaceful coexistence.
