Students made to stand in sun for CM's Kerala Sadas; Controversy after video goes viral

KANNUR: School students were lined up on the road in the scorching sun and were forced to chant slogans in praise of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's government on Wednesday. The incident happened as part of the Nava Kerala Sadas event in Kannur. Students of Champad LP school in Thalassery were forced into this toiling work in addition to their school hours. MSF has filed a complaint with the Child Rights Commission and the Human Rights Commission. The MSF demanded action against the head teacher and others involved.

A video has also emerged showing students in a beeline queue on the aisle of the road hollering slogans when the cavalcade of CM Pinarayi Vijayan scuttles past them. The slogans were 'Greetings, Greetings, Kerala Government' which were repeated as per instructions from their faculties. The teachers are also seen forcing students to chant more.

Earlier, the education department's proposal to allow school children to participate in the Navakerala Sadas had attracted criticism. The instruction was given in a meeting of head teachers convened by Malappuram Tirurangadi DEO. The DEO had to find new ways to bring students to the event after the High Court rejected the proposal to release school buses to the Navakerala Sadas.

It was suggested that at least 200 children should be sent from a school in the Tanur sub-district and at least 100 children from the Tirurangadi Vengara and Parappanangadi sub-districts. The DEO also courted controversy for issuing an order that asked for the participation of disciplined children but not any others.