Sivankutty stands firm on school timings change, slams Kerala Governor for ‘support’ of foot worship

Kerala’s Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Tuesday said the government will proceed with the revised school timing schedule but that discussions will be held with those opposed to it to explain the rationale and convince them.

Speaking to the media at Government guest house here, the Minister made it clear that the discussions are not aimed at reversing the decision.

“The aim is to engage with the stakeholders and clarify the government’s position, and not to alter the decision,” the Minister said, responding to ongoing protests against the changed school hours.

The Minister said “education should not be confused with religion”, asserting that the government’s decisions are guided by the Education Act, not religious considerations.

He clarified that the revised school timing was a policy decision made in accordance with the Education Act.

“Samastha is free to express its opinion and the government is open to discussions,” he said.

The Minister added that Samastha leader Sayyid Muhammad Al Jifri had contacted him by phone to discuss concerns regarding the change in the timings and conversation would be held.

Mr. Sivankutty also suggested that Samastha may have been “misinformed” about the government’s intentions. “Someone has misled Samastha on this matter,” he said indicating that misconceptions may have fuelled the opposition.

The Minister’s remarks come amid ongoing debates and objections raised by certain religious and community groups over the shift in school hours across the State.

The Minister also strongly criticised the recent instances of ‘pada puja’ (foot worship) reportedly conducted in some schools and took a swipe at Governor Rajendra Arlekar over the latter’s perceived endorsement of such practices.

“The Governor’s inclination towards foot worship is now evident. If such acts are carried out under RSS patronage, the schools cannot function legally,” he said.

Mr. Sivankutty questioned how the Governor could “support” making children wash feet, calling it “unacceptable and inappropriate” in an educational setting.

He further accused the Governor of contributing to administrative paralysis in universities, stating that “the current administrative gridlock is the Governor’s doing.”