Kerala's Education Minister, V Sivankutty, issued a stern warning on Sunday against several private schools in the state allegedly attempting to block Christmas celebrations on their campuses. He emphasized that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government would not tolerate any "divisive models based on religion and belief" being imported into Kerala's educational institutions.
Minister's Firm Stand on Secular Culture
Sivankutty expressed dismay over such reports, stating they were unheard of in a state renowned for its secular culture. He declared that schools in Kerala are spaces where children learn and grow together, transcending caste and religious divisions. "We won’t let them become communal labs," the minister asserted. His comments came in response to allegations published by the CPM's publication, Deshabhimani, which claimed that some schools managed by the Sangh Parivar and another with a Hindu management had decided against holding Christmas programmes.
The controversy deepened with reports that at least one institute had collected contributions from students for the festival before abruptly reversing its decision and calling off the celebrations. Sources indicated that a group of parents from a school in Thiruvananthapuram jointly petitioned the minister after their school cancelled planned Christmas events.
Tradition of Inclusive Festivities Under Threat
Minister Sivankutty highlighted Kerala's long-standing tradition of celebrating Onam, Christmas, and Eid with equal enthusiasm in educational spaces. He stressed that these gatherings are vital for fostering mutual love and respect among children from diverse backgrounds. "The act of cancelling celebrations after collecting money and then returning it is both hurtful and cruel to young minds," he remarked, condemning the reported actions.
The minister made it clear that all schools, irrespective of being government-run, aided, or private, bear a constitutional responsibility to uphold secular principles. Without naming any specific institution, he warned of strict action against entities trying to transform schools into "places that protect narrow political and communal interests."
Denials and Clarifications from Accused Schools
In reaction to the allegations, an RSS functionary quoted by PTI dismissed the claims as implausible, stating the organization was not against any cultural celebrations. Simultaneously, officials from the specific "Hindu-management school" mentioned in the report clarified that there was no blanket ban on Christmas celebrations. They explained that a restriction was placed only on cutting cakes during the event due to concerns about possible food poisoning, and that Christmas would be celebrated otherwise.
To address the issue formally, Minister Sivankutty announced that instructions would be issued for an urgent inquiry into the matter. Concerned officials have been directed to investigate the allegations and submit a detailed report to the government.
