Kerala police have registered a case against a school teacher for allegedly asking Muslim students to abstain from participating in Onam festivities. The incident was reported from Sirajul Uloom English High School in Kadavallur, Thrissur, where the teacher, identified as Khadija, circulated a voice note to parents.
Teacher’s Audio Message Sparks Row
In the audio, Khadija urged parents to keep their children away from Onam activities, calling it a festival of “other religions.”
“We Muslims should live by adhering to Islam. Onam celebrations are polytheistic and should not be encouraged. Neither we nor our children should encourage Onam celebrations in any way. Joining in with the customs of people of other religions may turn into ‘shirk’,” she was heard saying in the recording.
She further added that children should be raised in an Islamic culture and kept away from the rituals of other faiths. “Our children are very young so they should be taught the seriousness of taking part in such celebrations. For this Onam, neither us nor our children are taking part,” she said.
Case Registered, School Responds
Following a complaint by a worker of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Kunnamkulam police booked the teacher under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with provocation with intent to cause riot.
Amid the controversy, the school management announced that it has suspended two teachers who had circulated separate audio messages on the matter. The management clarified that the remarks reflected the “personal opinion” of the teachers and not the institution’s stance.
“As like every year, the school management has decided to conduct Onam celebration in a grand manner this year. We had sent messages regarding it to class groups and PTA groups. As part of the investigation, we have suspended the teachers involved in it,” the school said in a statement.
While police have registered a case against only one teacher so far, both educators remain suspended. Onam, Kerala’s official festival, is celebrated widely across the state by people of all faiths.