KOCHI: Yet another incident involving a demand for a separate space for namaz in an educational institution run by the Catholic Church in Kerala has kicked up a storm. The latest incident happened at Paingottoor St Joseph Higher Secondary School in Kothamangalam taluk of Ernakulam district.
According to Fr Jacob Rathapillil, director of the Jagratha Commission of Eparchy of Kothamangalam, it was like a replay of the Nirmala College incident.
"It so happened that a teacher of the school happened to come across two female students of Class XII offering namaz inside a classroom. The teacher called the students and told them that it was not allowed in the school. However, the students argued that they were just offering the namaz and had not demanded a separate space for it," he said.
The teacher let go of the incident after warning them to not repeat it. But on the very next day, one of the students was again found offering namaz. The teacher then sent the student to the principal's room and her parents were called.
"Though the parents argued, they listened to reason and promised to not escalate the issue. The student was also directed to notify the same to the other student who was absent on the said day. However, on the next day, the other student who had been absent earlier was found offering namaz against the direction of the principal," said Fr Rathapillil. The Jagratha Commission director added that things escalated when the parents of the student were called.
The parents argued that since they come from a conservative Muslim family, it was important for them to offer namaz every day. Hence, their child would continue to do so. "But when the management clarified its stand based on the public education laws of Kerala and the minority rights allowed by the Constitution, the parents took a threatening stance and informed that if their child was not allowed to offer namaz in the school, they would come and pick her up every day to take her to the mosque," said Fr Rathapillil.
He said the principal refused permission to cite the KER (Kerala Education Rules) for Muslim students. As per the rule, the worship time arrangement allowed by the government in public schools is till 2 pm on Fridays.
"This facility can be used by children. Other non-statutory arrangements and permission to leave regularly cannot be given in Christian-managed educational institutions as it affects the school's general schedule, discipline and children's safety," he added.
To discuss the issue, a meeting was held in which the parents of the student, representatives of the KCBC Jagratha Commission and the diocese participated. "But even in the meeting, the parent was hostile and threatened to take up the matter with the higher-ups," said Fr Rathapillil.
According to Biju Parayannilam, president of the Catholic Congress, the principal was right in refusing their demand since it would have affected the school's discipline. "The students have been allowed to go for namaz on Fridays. After discussions, one of the parents relented and decided to abide by the school's decision. But the other parent has been adamant," he said.
After coming to know about the incident, the diocese Vicar General Monsignor Pius Malekandathil and the Catholic Congress came out strongly against the demand and voiced their support to the school.
A similar incident happened on July 29, at Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha, when a group of female students approached the college principal demanding a space to offer namaz on Fridays since the mosque didn't have a separate area for women.
Fr Rathapillil said, "The position of Catholic management schools on this issue has always been legitimate and clear. As religious minority institutions, Catholic educational institutions are guaranteed the right to legal protection of Christian faith, culture and heritage." In a joint statement, the Catholic Congress and the Kothamangalam Diocese Vigilance Committee said that any kind of intrusion aiming to destroy the religious harmony, peaceful atmosphere and discipline in the schools will not be accepted.