Kakkachal Saraswathi Vidyalayam students in the Bandadka in the barraragod show the “Pada Puja” Teachers on Thursday. The incident caused extensive convictions from political parties, children’s rights and civil society bodies Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The “Pada Puja” series, the ceremony for washing legs held in several CBSE schools in the district of the Kasaragod, caused extensive convictions from political parties, children’s rights and civic society bodies.
The ceremony, part of the Guru Purnima celebration on Jayanti, saw students kneeling and washing teachers, including retirement teachers, and offers flowers in a symbolic ritual of respect on Thursday.
General Minister of Education V. Sivankutty on Saturday demanded a report of the director of general education and condemned this practice as “undemocratic and against the spirit of modern education”.
Keral’s State Committee was looking for reports from the police representative of Bekal and the Baddudky Police for the protection of children in the incident.
The rituals were allegedly held in Kakkachal Saraswathi Vidyalayam in Bandadka, Thrikkarippur Chakrapani Vidya Mandiram English Secondary School Niketan Ustník. A similar ceremony was also in Sreekandapuram Vivekanand Vidyapeedam in Kannura. Jayanti to celebrate.
The visuals of the event were widely spread on social media and draw criticism.
The Student Federation of India, Balasangham and the Indian Federation for Democratic Youth in India, which described the event as primitive and humiliating, introduced protests and filed complaints. SFI turned to the Child Rights Commission and demanded responsibility.
Secretary of the district of Kasaragod SFI Kasaragod K, Pranav said that the ceremony is regressive and contrary to the progressive educational values of Kerarals.
Dyfi said the ritual was an attempt to introduce Sangh Parivar’s ideology in educational institutions and undermine the scientific temperament and secular values of the public education system.
Dyfi announced a nationwide campaign “Human Alerts against Sangh Parivar’s move to return to primitive times” 14 July in front of private schools.
Previously, Mr. Sivankutty, spoke to Mediaperons, reiterated that such practices had disrupted the purpose of education to support critical thinking and self -confidence. “Inserting the mentality of slaves into students has no place in a democratic society,” he said.
The Minister stated that the Ministry of General Education has the power to act against schools in any curriculum that have not fulfilled the law on education and regulations.
The Indian social party also condemned this act and described it as an insult to humanity. In its statement, the district unit Kasaragod accused Bharatiya Vidya Niketan of trying to announce social order oriented by Hindutva through educational institutions. They demanded investigations and strict measures against responsible ones.
In addition to schools in the barraragod and cannon, the ritual took place in Vivekanand Vidy Peedom in Mavelikar. Students were forced to wash the feet of teachers, including pensioners. They also made Pada on the feet of the district secretary of BJP ANOOP, who took part in the post.
(With inputs from correspondent ALAPPUZHA)
Published – July 12, 2025 17:17
