Students in RSS-Affiliated Kerala Schools Made to Wash Teachers’ Feet; Education Minister Demands Report

Thiruvananthapuram: Students in several schools across Kerala affiliated with the RSS were made to wash the feet of teachers as part of Guru Purnima celebrations, triggering widespread outrage and political condemnation. The practice, carried out in the name of reverence, has drawn sharp criticism after videos and photos from the events surfaced on social media.
The rituals were reported from multiple institutions under Bharatheeya Vidyaniketan, including Saraswati Vidyaniketan in Kakkachal, Bandadukka (Kasaragod); Chakrapani Vidyamandiram in Trikaripur; Vivekananda Vidyapeetham in Sreekandapuram (Kannur); and Vidyadhiraja Central School in Mavelikkara (Alappuzha).
At Saraswati Vidyaniketan in Bandadukka, the ritual was held on Thursday morning under the leadership of a former BJP panchayat member from Kuttikkol panchayat. All students of the school were reportedly made to kneel before around thirty retired teachers who were seated on chairs. The children were instructed to touch the teachers' feet, sprinkle water and flowers, and offer worship. The organisers had sent invitations to parents via WhatsApp group messages, and many attended the event. The school authorities have reportedly stated that the ritual will continue in the coming years.
Similar scenes played out at other schools. At Vivekananda Vidyapeetham in Sreekandapuram, retired teacher B. Sasidharan Master received the ritual honour, with students offering flowers at his feet. Following the ceremony, he delivered a lecture to students on the significance of Guru Purnima. The event was coordinated by school secretary Suresh and principal Bins Mathew.
In Alappuzha district, at Vivekananda Vidyapeetham School in Edappon, students were made to wash the feet of BJP district secretary Adv. K.K. Anoop, who is not a member of the teaching staff. Visuals of the ritual, showing a student performing the act, were initially shared through the school’s official social media pages but were later deleted following widespread criticism and public outrage.
At Vidyadhiraja Central and Sainik School in Mavelikkara, students reportedly performed the feet-washing ritual for 101 teachers. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. K.P. Vijayalakshmi, former director of the Panmana campus of Sree Sankaracharya Sanskrit University.
State Education Minister V Sivankutty has sought an urgent report on the matter and stated that the government views the incident with utmost seriousness. Describing the practice as “undemocratic and unacceptable,” the minister stated, “This is deeply shocking. Education should foster scientific awareness and progressive thinking among children. Such rituals undermine the fundamental goals of our education system.”
He has instructed the Director of Public Instruction to seek explanations from the concerned CBSE-affiliated institutions. The minister also made it clear that strict action will be taken to ensure such practices do not recur, regardless of the syllabus followed. He reiterated that the Department of Public Education has full authority to act if any school—government, aided, or private—violates the Right to Education Act or other prescribed educational norms.
“These practices foster a mindset of submission among students and cannot be accepted under any circumstance. Education must impart knowledge and self-awareness. It is a hard-won right that was denied in the past due to the caste system. That right must never be surrendered at anyone’s feet,” Sivankutty said.
The incident has provoked strong responses from various left organisations. CPI(M) Kasaragod district secretary M Rajagopalan condemned the ceremonies, stating that such rituals amount to a rejection of Kerala’s progressive heritage. “Instead of nurturing love and respect for teachers, making students perform feet-washing rituals is an attempt to revive outdated practices. Those responsible must face strict action. This is part of the Sangh Parivar’s regressive agenda to push educational institutions back to primitive traditions. Secular, progressive, and democratic-minded parents and the public must raise strong resistance,” he said.
The children's organisation Balasangham issued a statement asserting that the goal of education is not to condition children into a culture of touching feet, but to empower them to stand tall and speak freely. The Students' Federation of India (SFI) also condemned the incident, calling it backward and disgraceful. They demanded an investigation by education authorities and appropriate legal action. SFI has filed a complaint with the Child Rights Commission, stating that such practices have no place in a reformed, modern educational environment.