Kerala Guv backs 'pada puja' amid row over foot-washing ritual in schools

Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Sunday strongly defended the practice of 'pada puja' observed by a section of people, saying that "offering flowers at the feet of teachers is part of Indian culture".

Speaking at a programme organised by Balagokulam, a right-wing outfit, in Balaramapuram, the Governor said, "Guru puja is part of our culture, where we offer flowers at the feet of our gurus... But some people have objected to it. I don't understand which culture they belong to."

"If we forget our culture, we forget ourselves; we'll be nowhere in this world," he claimed.

His remarks came a day after the CPI(M)-led LDF government strongly criticised the recent performance of 'pada puja' (foot washing ritual) in two CBSE schools in the state.

However, the Governor's remarks continued to invite sharp criticism from the ruling CPI(M) and Opposition Congress which accused him of trying to implement RSS agenda in the state and taking it back to the dark age.

State education minister V. Sivankutty had on Saturday expressed shock over reports that students were made to wash the feet of retired teachers. He termed the act "condemnable" and "against democratic values".

AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal on Sunday said that the Governor's decision to justify the act of making schoolchildren wash the feet of teachers is a "shame" for Kerala.

Talking to reporters in Palakkad, he said, "Arlekar is trying to take Kerala back to the dark ages."

Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Sivankutty also said that although the state government has limitations in intervening in the affairs of such CBSE schools, there would be action accordingly after a report is submitted by the officials concerned about the recent incidents.

CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan strongly criticised the ritual, calling it part of an alleged "RSS agenda to erode Kerala's secular and democratic fabric".

"No one is against respecting or honouring teachers," he said, adding, "But this ritual, which was abandoned centuries ago, is rooted in feudal culture and aims to revive chaturvarnya, the ancient caste system."

Media reports said 'pada puja' ceremonies were held in two CBSE schools under the Bharatheeya Vidyanikethan management in Kasaragod and Mavelikkara on Guru Purnima Day, observed on 10 July this year.

Minister Sivankutty said the Director of Public Instruction (DPI) had been directed to seek explanations from the schools.

"Practices that promote a slave mentality are unacceptable under any circumstances. Education must instill knowledge and self-awareness," he stated.

He added that the Department of General Education has the authority to act against schools under any syllabus that violates the Right to Education Act and related regulations.

The ruling CPI(M)'s student wing, Students' Federation of India (SFI), and the Opposition Congress's student outfit, Kerala Students' Union (KSU), also condemned the ritual and demanded action against the school managements.

(With PTI inputs)