Pro-Palestine mime re-performed at Kerala school despite protests

Kasaragod (Kerala): Students at Kumbala Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) re-enacted a pro-Palestine mime performance on Monday, which had been halted by teachers last week in the district.

The mime, featuring six students dressed in black, was part of the school’s art festival and attracted a considerable audience.

This time, the students followed the guidelines, refraining from raising the Palestine flag or chanting slogans during the act. However, some audience members were heard voicing pro-Palestine slogans.

“We are very happy to get the opportunity to stage the mime again. We thank everyone who supported us. Our intention is to showcase the sufferings of people in Palestine, and it was not against anyone,” said a student involved in the performance.

Meanwhile, BJP activists organised a protest march against the mime at the school, but police stopped them from reaching the school premises.

“It is illegal to shout slogans supporting another country at a school event. A case should be registered and an investigation conducted,” a protester demanded.

The original performance was disrupted last Friday when two teachers forced the organisers to shut the curtains midway through the mime, drawing widespread criticism. Following the incident, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) convened on Saturday and decided to suspend the arts festival.

Student groups MSF and SFI later protested against the teachers, demanding accountability. Education Minister V Sivankutty stepped in, affirming Kerala’s support for Palestine and assuring that the mime would be allowed to continue.

An investigation was carried out by the Education Department into the matter, including the role of the two teachers, and a report was submitted to the District Education Officer.
PTI