Kasargode, Keralam: A ban on organizing the Onam feast at a school on the grounds of it being a Friday has sparked a controversy. The restriction was imposed on the Onam feast at the Chemmanad Jam-ath Higher Secondary School, which operates under the Chemmanad Jam-ath. A faction within the Jam-ath committee demanded that the Onam feast could not be served because the day was a Friday (August 28).
Since schools traditionally close for Onam holidays on Fridays, Onam celebrations across schools are typically held on that day. The feast was intended for over 1,500 people, including high school and higher secondary students as well as teachers. The funds required for the grand feast were voluntarily offered by the headmaster who retired at the end of the previous academic year. Preparations for the feast had already been made, and catering staff were also booked. However, the ban was imposed at the very last minute.
The day-to-day affairs of the school are managed by a committee chaired by C.T. Ahmed Ali, a Muslim League leader, former minister, and former MLA of over 25 years. The Jam-ath committee’s ban on the Onam feast caused massive financial losses to the retired headmaster.
Furthermore, while Onam feasts were successfully held at nearby schools in Kasaragode – such as the Nellikkunnu School, chaired by former MLA N.A. Nellikkunnu – this particular school imposed a ban solely because it fell on a Friday. Following the decision, several members of the Jam-ath itself have come forward in protest.
The incident came to light after a retired AEO (Assistant Educational Officer) expressed his protest on his Facebook page. He wrote – “There are no religious bans on taking crores in bribes, nor are there religious restrictions on admitting children of various castes and religions just to increase division counts. But there is a religious ban on the Onam feast. What a plight, what a shame, leader, a massive shame. A life yielding to the glare of religious fanatics while sitting in the manager’s position – how horrifying”.
