Kozhikode: Students of Neeleswaram Higher Secondary School launched a hunger strike on Friday, protesting against an alleged error in the judging process at the Mukkam Sub-District School Arts Festival. The protestors claimed that due to the mistake in the decision-making, their school lost the overall trophy at the festival.

The students, who decided to skip lunch in solidarity, voiced their discontent after Neeleswaram’s school failed to secure the coveted overall trophy at the event, which they believed was unjustly awarded to another institution. The students demanded a reevaluation of the decision, calling for justice and fairness in the competition.

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In response to the claims, the Mukkom Municipal Council passed an urgent resolution unanimously, urging a review of the judgement process and supporting the students' concerns.

The controversy arose when the championship trophy was shared between PTM Higher Secondary School, Kodiyathur, and Neeleswaram Higher Secondary School, with allegations of malpractice. Neeleswaram School officials have accused PTM of illegally influencing the selection of contestants, which they claim led to their school's loss. This sparked a series of protests and heightened tensions among the students.

Clash Breaks Out After Awarding of Trophy

The dispute over the overall championship intensified during the closing ceremony of the festival, when the decision to split the trophy between the two schools led to a heated confrontation. Students from Neeleswaram School, frustrated by what they considered an unfair decision, refused to accept the trophy.

The conflict escalated when verbal arguments turned physical, with students from both sides engaging in a scuffle. Teachers intervened to break up the altercation, but the situation quickly spiralled into chaos, leading to a broader commotion during the ceremony.

This controversy has sparked a wider debate about the transparency and fairness of school festivals, with calls for stricter protocols to avoid similar issues in future events. 

The drama surrounding the Mukkam Sub-District School Arts Festival has drawn attention from local authorities and education officials, with further developments expected in the coming days.