Thrissur: Kerala police have filed a case against a school teacher for allegedly instructing Muslim students to refrain from participating in Onam celebrations. The incident took place at Sirajul Uloom English High School in Kadavallur, where the teacher, identified as Khadija, circulated a voice note to parents.

In the recording, she reportedly urged parents to prevent Muslim students from joining Onam festivities, describing the festival as one belonging to “other religions.” “We Muslims should live by adhering to Islam. Onam celebrations are polytheistic and should not be encouraged. Neither we nor our children should encourage Onam celebrations in any way. Joining in with the customs of people of other religions may turn into ‘shirk’,” she said. She also urged parents to raise children within Islamic culture and away from the rituals of other faiths. “Our children are very young, so they should be taught the seriousness of taking part in such celebrations. For this Onam, neither we nor our children are taking part,” she said, as reported by India Today.

A complaint filed by a worker of the DYFI prompted Kunnamkulam police to register a case under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with provocation with intent to cause a riot.

Following the controversy, the management of Sirajul Uloom English High School announced that it had suspended two teachers who had circulated separate audio messages regarding the issue. The management emphasised that the comments were the “personal opinion” of the teachers and did not reflect the school’s stance.

As usual, the school management has decided to conduct Onam celebrations in a grand manner this year. “We had sent messages regarding it to class groups and PTA groups. As part of the investigation, we have suspended the teachers involved in it,” the statement read.

While two audio messages were circulated by different teachers, the police have so far registered a case against only one.