‘Won’t let them become communal labs’: Why Christmas row erupted in Kerala schools; minister flags alleged ban

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala education minister V Sivankutty on Sunday flagged reports of some private schools in the state blocking Christmas celebrations on campus, warning that the LDF government would not tolerate “divisive models based on religion and belief, as seen in north India”.

“Such actions are unheard of in a state like Kerala, known for its...secular culture...Our schools are places where children learn and grow together beyond caste and religious thoughts. We won’t let them become communal labs,” Sivankutty said.

The minister’s remarks followed allegations by CPM mouthpiece Deshabhimani that some “Sangh Parivar-run” schools and another institution with a “Hindu management” had decided not to hold Christmas programmes. At least one institute allegedly collected contributions for the festival before reversing the decision. Sources said some parents jointly petitioned the minister against a school in Thiruvananthapuram that cancelled the celebrations after planning them.

Sivankutty said schools in Kerala had traditionally celebrated Onam, Christmas and Eid with equal fervour. “It is through such gatherings that children learn to love and respect each other. The act of cancelling celebrations after collecting money and then returning it is both hurtful and cruel to young minds,” he said.

The minister stressed that all schools — government-run, aided or private — “have a responsibility to uphold the secular principles enshrined in India’s Constitution”. Without naming any institution or organisation, he warned of strict action against anyone attempting to turn schools into what he described as “places that protect narrow political and communal interests”.

PTI quoted an RSS functionary as saying it was implausible that any institute would have decided to prevent children from celebrating a festival. “We are not against any sort of cultural celebration,” he said.

Officials of the “Hindu-management school” referred to in the CPM mouthpiece clarified that there was no ban on Christmas celebrations in their institution. “But a restriction is imposed on cutting cakes as part of the celebration in view of concerns of any possible food poisoning. Christmas celebrations will be held as such,” an official told PTI.

Sivankutty said instructions would be issued to officials concerned to conduct an urgent inquiry into the matter and submit a report.

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