'Allahu Akbar', 'Praise you lord ' along with 'Om Hari Sri Ganapataye Namah'; HC responds to petition on Vidyarambham event

KOCHI: The High Court on Saturday gave parents full authority to decide what prayer their children should write during the Vidyarambham ceremony event conducted by the library committee of Mattanur municipality. The court also asked the committee members to ensure full freedom for parents to let their children start formal education with prayers of their faith.

The issue started when the organizers of the event published a notice that said: "On the day of Vidyarambham, apart from 'Harihshri' prayers,' Allahu Akbar' and 'Jesus almighty' can also be written on the grains of rice placed on a platter". Taking offence from this, Haindaveeyam Foundation Kerala Chapter Convenor K.R. Mahadevan filed a petition asking the court to intervene and said the committee is demeaning Hindu rituals.

The organizers had assured the High Court that they would not force parents to participate in the initiation ceremony held at the Mattanur Madhusudhan Thangal Memorial School. The committee members also said they won't force children to write prayers against their beliefs.

The court said that the parents can choose the prayer their children should write. If anyone restricts the parents from doing so, it will affect the freedom of religious belief, the court said. Justice Devan Ramachandran also said the court should not interfere as long as the ceremony is conducted without violation of the law, from a secular point of view. The petition was then disposed of.

Normally on Vidyarambham, an instructor guides a child to trace Hindu prayers on the grains of rice placed on a platter. The ceremony is a Hindu ritual and is said to guide children into the world of education.