Kerala 'pada puja': students allegedly made to wash BJP leader's feet!

Alappuzha: In a fresh development from the Kerala ‘pada puja’ controversy, it is alleged that a CBSE school in Mavelikara here made students wash the feet of a local BJP leader along with teachers, as per a news report by PTI.

It was the activists of the youth outfit of ruling CPI(M) in the state, DYFI, who made the allegation. On Monday, the organization took out a protest march to the school, named Vivekananda Vidya Peedom.

The BJP leader was attending the puja event in the school, and his feet were washed along with teachers during the ‘pada puja’.

The protesters, who marched to the school, engaged in a minor scuffle with the law enforcers and raised slogans against the school management and the BJP leader, who is reportedly a ward member of the area. They also sought the saffron party leader's resignation from the position.

The school authorities have not reacted to the development.

The protest happened a day after Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar strongly defended the practice of 'guru puja' observed by a section of people, and General Education Minister V Sivankutty objected to it. The minister vehemently objected to Arlekar’s statements and accused him of trying to implement the RSS agenda in the state.

Media reports said 'pada puja' ceremonies were held in two CBSE schools under the Bharatheeya Vidyanikethan management in Kasaragod and Mavelikkara on Guru Purnima Day, observed on July 10.

Minister Sivankutty said that the Director of Public Instruction (DPI) had been directed to seek explanations from the schools.

"Practices that promote a slave mentality are unacceptable under any circumstances. Education must instil knowledge and self-awareness," he stated.

The Department of General Education has the authority to act against schools under any syllabus that violates the Right to Education Act and related regulations, he added.