PALAKKAD/KOZHIKODE: Deputy director of education (Palakkad) T M Salina Beevi has directed the management of TAM UP School, Edathanattukara, in Palakkad district to initiate disciplinary action, including suspension from service, against teacher T K Ashraf for posting social media content that allegedly defamed the state government and the department of education.
The Facebook post from Ashraf — the state general secretary of Wisdom Islamic Organisation, a Salafi group in Kerala — against the government’s decision to introduce the zumba fitness routine in schools had hit the headlines, triggering widespread discussion in the state.
“Children are being sent to schools for quality education and not for a cultural practice where boys and girls intermix and dance. Some might consider this progressive, however, I am regressive in this case,” he wrote on Facebook.
In the post, Ashraf said he and his son would stay away from the zumba sessions and were ready to face any action.
The education department order said the school management must take appropriate disciplinary action against the teacher without delay, with a report in that regard to be submitted to the office of the district’s deputy director of education (DDE) as well as to the Mannarkkad sub-district education officer within 24 hours. Meanwhile, the school management has sought an explanation from Ashraf and has instructed him to submit his reply within three days.
“The management representative has submitted a letter to the Mannarkkad sub-district education officer, informing of the action. The officer will forward the letter to the Palakkad DDE. Further action will be taken after considering Ashraf’s explanation,” said a source with the school management committee.
Meanwhile, Wisdom Islamic Organisation said the government should stop hunting Ashraf for expressing his opinion. In a resolution adopted at the meeting organised in Kozhikode on Wednesday, the organisation condemned the practice of branding those who express their opinion on public issues.
“We have seen the attempts from people, including the minister, to isolate the leader of a mainstream organisation,” the resolution said, adding that people from all sections should unite against the cultural fascism.
They further condemned the Education Department’s move, stating that “the concept of gender being a social construct is a door that opens to sexual anarchy.”
