“Namaz” on church-run college row: After the row, two students make similar demands from church-run schools

Two female students from church-run schools demand to perform Namaz on the premises.

A few days ago, a row broke out at the church-run Nirmala College in Muvattupuzha, Kerala. A section of students protested inside the college, alleging that the non-teaching staff had prevented a few female students from performing Namaz, their Friday prayers, inside a room. Days after this incident, two female students from a church-run school made similar demands in Kerala.

Two Muslim female students demand to perform Namaz on school premises.

After the Namaz on a church-run college row, two Muslim female students have made similar demands to perform Namaz on the premises of their church-run school in Kothamangalam, Kerala. However, the management has strongly objected to their demand.

Management of the school objects to the demand.

The church-run school’s management has objected to the demands of the two Muslim girls students to perform Namaz on the school’s premises. The row erupted recently at St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School in Paingottoor after the students and their parents demanded the management a place where Muslim prayers can be performed inside the school premises. However, the school principal informed that they could not allow the public performance of any religious ritual inside the institution, as per the sources at the church. They said Muslim students can use the time allotted for religious rituals as per the Kerala Education Rules on Fridays. They cited the institution’s safety and discipline, declining their demand to go outside during school hours to perform Namaz.

Statement by the Commission for Social Harmony and Vigilance.

On Monday, the Commission for Social Harmony and Vigilance under the Eparchy of Kothamangalam issued a statement strongly condemning the demands of students and their parents. They accused them of creating unwanted controversy. The church commission also termed the move “condemnable” and said that such “threats” were constantly raised against church-run institutions.

Fr Jacob Rathapillil, Director of the Vigilance Commission of the Eparchy of Kothamangalam, said that any move that harms the peaceful atmosphere, secularism, and discipline of the church-run educational institutions cannot be accepted.