Controversy Erupts Over Namaz Permission at Church-Run School in Kerala

The demand by two Muslim girl students and their parents to perform 'namaz' at a church-run school in Kothamangalam, Kerala, has triggered controversy. The school management denied their request, citing institutional rules and safety. The church commission strongly condemned the demands, calling them threats against secularism.

The demand by two Muslim girl students and their parents to perform 'namaz' at a church-run school in Kothamangalam, Kerala, has ignited a controversy, with the school's management staunchly opposing the request.

The row began at St Joseph's Higher Secondary School in Paingottoor after the students and their parents demanded permission to perform the Muslim prayers within the school premises.

Following this, the school principal informed them that public religious rituals could not be permitted on the campus, according to church sources.

Muslim students are allowed to observe their religious rituals during designated times on Fridays as per Kerala Education Rules (KER), the sources added.

The principal also rejected the parents' request to allow the students to leave the campus during school hours every day for prayers, citing safety and institutional discipline concerns.

The Commission for Social Harmony and Vigilance under the Eparchy of Kothamangalam condemned the students' and parents' demands in a Monday statement, accusing them of provoking unnecessary controversy.

The church commission described the demands as part of a pattern of threats against church-run institutions, arguing that such actions undermined societal secularism.

Fr Jacob Rathapillil, Director of the Vigilance Commission of the Eparchy, stated that any move threatening the peaceful, secular, and disciplined environment of church-run educational institutions was unacceptable.

The girl students and their parents have not yet responded to the unfolding controversy.

BJP Minority Morcha leader Jiji Joseph, who visited the school in the aftermath of the dispute, accused certain vested interests of intentionally stirring religious issues in esteemed institutions.

Joseph stated, ''It is yet another attempt to create unwanted issues in the name of religion.''

The incident at St Joseph's school follows a similar controversy at the church-run Nirmala College in Muvattupuzha, where students protested after non-teaching staff reportedly prevented girl students from offering Friday prayers.

(With inputs from agencies.)