Kozhikode: The ongoing tussle between the Kerala government and the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama — a prominent Sunni scholars’ forum that oversees madrasas across the state — escalated on Saturday, with the forum launching a sharp attack on the state government and Education Minister V Sivankutty over the extension of school hours.

Rejecting the government's revised schedule, Samastha president Syed Mohammed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal said, “We cannot accept the change in school timings. Can’t an alternative time be found for everyone?” He added that madrassa activities cannot be shifted to other hours, asking, “There are only 24 hours. Should madrassas function during night?”

Thangal accused Minister Sivankutty of making provocative statements. “The minister’s style is not right. He should not speak like that. He should have said, ‘We will think about it and act’. He should not show stubbornness.”

He went on to say that it is the cabinet’s responsibility to consider the concerns of religious communities. “Ministers should remember they have received votes from communities. Can such a large religious community be ignored?” he asked.

He also emphasised that the right to raise concerns lies with the community itself. “Whether there are other communities or not is irrelevant. We will raise our issues ourselves,” he said.

Despite the strong criticism, Thangal welcomed the minister’s willingness to engage in discussions. “If the talks succeed, there will be no protest,” he said.

He confirmed that protest plans had already been finalised but assured that Samastha would adopt a respectful approach in view of potential dialogue. “The Muslim community is a large one. Some of the minister’s statements have provoked anger,” he added.

Sivankutty defends move, invokes court backing

Earlier on Friday, Education Minister V Sivankutty defended the decision to extend school hours by 30 minutes, explaining it was made in line with Kerala High Court directions. He clarified that the extension involved adding 15 minutes each in the morning and afternoon, excluding Fridays, across 16 days a month to meet instructional time requirements under the national and state calendars.

He had firmly stated, “No concession in school timings can be made for any particular community.” Dismissing religious opposition, Sivankutty remarked, “Can they do this in Uttar Pradesh or Gujarat? They cannot.”

He further said the state’s democratic environment under the Left Democratic Front (LDF) allowed organisations to voice dissent, adding, “There are no government restrictions on madrassa education, but religious organisations should not unnecessarily interfere in educational matters.”