Latest news with #VyasaJayanti
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Children should not be made to perform rituals like ‘guru puja,' says KPCC president
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph has come out strongly against the controversial 'guru puja' event involving schoolchildren, stating that such practices are inappropriate and children should never be forced into them. Responding to media queries in Kasaragod on Monday, Mr. Joseph said, 'Teachers should indeed be respected but not in this manner. Children should not be compelled to perform acts like foot worship.' His remarks come amid growing criticism of the incident at Bandudka Saraswathi Vidyalayam and others schools in Kasaragod and Kannur where students were made to perform 'padapuja' of teachers on Vyasa Jayanti last Thursday. When asked about senior Congress leader P.J. Kurien's statement that the Youth Congress and the Kerala Students' Union (KSU) were not active enough, Mr. Joseph refrained from outright dismissal, saying Mr. Kurien's intention was to 'strengthen the organisation'. He added that both the Youth Congress and the KSU were actively involved in protests, even in the face of police action. 'Even amidst police violence, their protest programmes remain strong. Senior leaders want these youth organisations to become stronger and there is nothing wrong with that,' he said. Mr. Joseph declined to comment on the alleged discontent within the party over a few statements made by Shashi Tharoor, MP, recently.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Kerala ‘pada pooja' row: Governor says part of culture
After CPIM-led Kerala government took a strong objection to 'pada pooja' (foot-washing ceremony) held at various CBSE-affiliated schools run by Bharatheeya Vidyanikethan (BVN), Governor Rajendra Arlekar said 'guru pooja is part of our culture'. On Thursday marking the Guru Purnima (Vyasa Jayanti) celebrations, schools run by Sangh Parivar-backed trusts conducted 'pada pooja', in which students were asked to wash the feet of the teachers and offer flowers at their feet. The visuals of students washing the feet of teachers led to protests in the state. General Education Minister V Sivankutty directed the Director General of Education to probe the incident. Sivankutty said the 'pada pooja' was against democratic values.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Outrage over foot worship at schools in Kasaragod, Kannur
A series of 'Pada Puja,' foot-washing ceremony, held in multiple CBSE schools in Kasaragod district has sparked widespread condemnation from political parties, child rights bodies, and civil society. The ceremony, part of Guru Purnima celebration on Vyasa Jayanti, saw students kneeling and washing the feet of teachers, including retired teachers, and offering flowers in a symbolic ritual of reverence on Thursday. General Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Saturday demanded a report from the Director of General Education and condemned the practice as 'undemocratic and against the spirit of modern education.' The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights sought reports from the Bekal Deputy Superintendent of Police and the Badudka police on the incident. The rituals were reportedly held at Kakkachal Saraswathi Vidyalayam at Bandadka, Thrikkarippur Chakrapani Vidya Mandiram English Medium School, and Cheemeni Vivekananda Vidyamandiram — all under the Bharatiya Vidya Niketan umbrella. A similar ceremony was also held at Sreekandapuram Vivekananda Vidyapeedam in Kannur. The events were led by the Vidayala Samiti in celebration of Vyasa Jayanti. Visuals of the event has been widely circulated on social media, drawing criticism. Terming the event as primitive and degrading, the Student Federation of India, Balasangham, and Democratic Youth Federation of India staged protests and lodged complaints. The SFI approached the child rights commission, demanding accountability. SFI Kasaragod district secretary K, Pranav said the ceremony was regressive and contrary to Kerala's progressive educational values. The DYFI said the ritual was an attempt to introduce Sangh Parivar ideology in educational institutions and undermine scientific temper and secular values of the public education system. The DYFI announced a State-wide campaign 'Human vigilance against Sangh Parivar's move to return to primitive times' on July 14 in front of private schools. Earlier, Mr. Sivankutty, speaking to mediapersons, reiterated that such practices eroded the purpose of education, to foster critical thinking and self-awareness. 'Instilling a slave mentality in students has no place in democratic society,' he said. The Minister said the Department of General Education had the authority to take action against schools in any syllabus that did not comply with the Right to Education Act and regulations. The Welfare Party of India also condemned the act, calling it an insult to humanity. In a statement, the Kasaragod district unit accused the Bharatiya Vidya Niketan of attempting to usher in a Hindutva-oriented social order through education institutions. The demanded an investigation and strict action against those responsible.
