Kerala Minister orders probe after school halts Palestine-themed mime
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Kasaragod: Kerala’s Education Minister V. Sivankutty on Saturday ordered an inquiry after a mime performance at Kasaragod Kumbala Higher Secondary School was halted and the school festival rescheduled. The minister asserted that the state stands in solidarity with children and families in Palestine.
Minister Sivankutty instructed the Director of Public Education to carry out an immediate investigation and submit a report on the incident. “It is important to understand exactly why the performance was interrupted and why the festival was altered,” he said.
Emphasising Kerala’s consistent stance on international human rights, the minister said, “Kerala has always taken a firm position against the genocide being carried out by Israel in Palestine. We stand in solidarity with the children and families being persecuted there. It is not acceptable for any authority to prevent students from expressing themselves on such matters.”
Clarifying the government’s position on student rights and creative expression, Sivankutty added, “I want to make it clear that students at Kumbala School will be allowed to perform the same mime on stage. Creative expression in educational settings must be encouraged, especially when it reflects social and global concerns.”
The minister’s statement underscores the Kerala government’s commitment to freedom of expression within schools, while maintaining awareness of sensitive social and political issues. He reiterated that the halted performance does not reflect the state’s official stance on Palestine but is a matter to be clarified through investigation.
The incident has sparked discussions on the role of educational institutions in allowing students to engage with global issues through cultural activities. The Directorate of Public Education’s investigation and report are expected to provide further clarity and ensure students’ opportunities for creative expression are protected in the future.
With IANS inputs