Kerala Government Stands Firm Against Religious Division in Schools Amid Christmas Celebration Controversy
Kerala's Education Minister Responds to Allegations
On Sunday, Kerala's Education Minister V Sivankutty asserted that the state administration would not yield to pressures aimed at fostering religious divisions. This statement follows reports indicating that some schools in Kerala have canceled Christmas festivities due to alleged coercion from Hindutva groups associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
The RSS serves as the foundational organization for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the national level.
Tensions escalated after claims surfaced that certain schools managed by Hindutva organizations and a privately operated Hindu institution had ceased Christmas celebrations. However, both the RSS and the schools' management have refuted these claims.
The state government issued a warning on Sunday, stating that educational institutions would not be allowed to become 'communal laboratories.' An urgent inquiry into the matter has also been initiated.
Sivankutty informed the media that some schools had returned funds collected from students for Christmas events due to threats from Hindutva organizations within the RSS's influence. He noted that numerous parents, students, and educators had approached him with complaints, emphasizing the government's serious approach to the situation.
He mentioned that actions are being taken against school administrations that have abandoned Christmas celebrations under pressure from the RSS.
The minister emphasized that Kerala would not accept practices that promote religious divisions.
Sivankutty accused the RSS and its affiliates of attempting to eliminate the religious customs and celebrations of Christian and Muslim minorities from the state's cultural landscape.
He stated, 'The RSS aims to merge state holidays with religion to foster communal divides in society.' He criticized the organization for targeting Kerala's schools, mistakenly believing they are vulnerable to their divisive agenda.
He further asserted that no one would be allowed to impose divisive models from northern India based on religion or belief within Kerala's educational institutions.
Sivankutty highlighted the essential role of schools in promoting unity among children, regardless of their caste or religion, and declared that any attempts to introduce divisive ideologies into educational environments would be rejected.
He reiterated that all educational institutions, whether government-funded or private, must adhere to the Constitution of India and the country's educational regulations, emphasizing their responsibility to uphold secular principles.
The minister remarked on Kerala's rich history of embracing diverse cultures and traditions without discrimination.
He concluded by stating that the government would oppose any efforts to turn schools into restrictive environments of religious segregation by prohibiting celebrations deemed unacceptable by the RSS or any extremist group.
Sivankutty called for a broader ideological struggle against the RSS.
Cancellation of Christmas Event in Haridwar
In Haridwar, Uttarakhand, a hotel operated by the state tourism department canceled a planned Christmas celebration along the banks of the Ganga River following protests organized by the Ganga Sabha, which oversees the Har-ki-Pauri ghat.
The hotel had scheduled an 'Experience Christmas' event for December 24, which included games for children. However, the hotel manager, Navaneet Singh Naula, stated that the event was misinterpreted as a celebration of the holiday.
Priests from the Ganga Sabha labeled the event as 'anti-Hindu' and insisted that it should not take place at a location adjacent to the sacred river.
Ujjwal Pandit, the Ganga Sabha's secretary, claimed to have the backing of his entire community against the event, arguing that it contradicted the traditions of the holy city and violated municipal regulations.
To prevent any controversy, Naula confirmed that the event was ultimately canceled.