Schools will not be allowed to become ‘laboratories of communalism’: Kerala government
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has issued a strong warning that schools will not be allowed to turn into “laboratories of communalism,” taking serious note of reports that some private school managements in the state imposed restrictions on Christmas celebrations and refunded money collected from students for the event.
According to reports, certain private schools allegedly run by organisations affiliated with the Sangh Parivar, as well as a privately managed school under a Hindu management, had cancelled Christmas celebrations. These allegations were published in Deshabhimani, the mouthpiece of the CPI(M). However, the schools and their managements concerned have denied the claims.
Describing such developments as unprecedented in a state known for its high level of democratic consciousness and long-standing secular tradition, the Kerala government has ordered an urgent inquiry into the matter.
Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty stated that no one would be allowed to introduce the “North Indian model” of dividing people on the basis of religion or religious belief in educational institutions in Kerala.
Speaking to reporters, the minister said schools are spaces where children learn and grow together, and any attempt to divide students on the basis of caste or religion, or to instil divisive ideas among them, is unacceptable.
He further noted that festivals such as Onam, Christmas, and Eid have traditionally been celebrated in schools across the state, helping children learn values of mutual respect, love, and peaceful coexistence.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Four cops suspended after man escapes from custody, gets hit by truck in Ghaziabad
Ghaziabad (UP) (PTI): The Ghaziabad Police has suspended four personnel over presumed negligence and dereliction of duty after a detainee suffered severe injuries while allegedly fleeing from custody, a police official said on Friday.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Modinagar) Bhaskar Verma said one Amit Kumar (35), an outsourced employee at Patla Nagar Panchayat, was allegedly drinking alcohol with three of his friends at a public place on Tuesday night. When Niwari police station arrived and reprimanded them, an altercation ensued, and Amit was subsequently detained.
While police were taking him for medical examination at Community Health Centre Muradnagar, Amit reportedly jumped from the moving police vehicle near the health centre to escape. As he ran towards the Delhi-Meerut highway, he was hit by an oncoming truck and sustained severe injuries. He was rushed to Yashoda Hospital in Nehru Nagar, where he is currently undergoing treatment in the ICU.
The police personnel allegedly failed to report the truck accident to their senior officers initially, claiming instead that Amit had fallen and injured himself while attempting to flee.
The incident sparked outrage among locals and the family of the detainee, who alleged that Amit was brutally thrashed while in custody.
On Thursday, protesters gathered outside the Niwari police station for nearly an hour, raising slogans against the police. The situation was eventually brought under control after officials assured that stringent action would be taken.
In response, a delegation of Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leaders met Police Commissioner J Ravindra Goud to submit a formal complaint demanding accountability for the Niwari police station personnel.
On Thursday evening, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rural) Surendra Nath Tiwari issued the suspension order against Patla police outpost in-charge Sub-Inspector Lokendra, Sub-Inspector Shaid Khan, Head Constable Sachin Mohan and Constable Narendra.
Additionally, the role of Niwari Station House Officer KK Maurya is under investigation, and a departmental inquiry has been initiated against the errant personnel, Verma said.
