A controversy has erupted in Perumbilavu, Thrissur, after an audio message circulating on WhatsApp advised Muslim students to refrain from participating in Onam festivities. The clip, allegedly featuring the voice of a teacher from a well-known local school, claimed that Onam should be seen as a Hindu religious festival and suggested that Muslim students’ involvement would go against their faith.
The message also noted that the school would once again hold only a limited-scale celebration of Onam, a move that has further fueled public debate. Once the recording went viral across social media platforms, it sparked intense discussions on cultural participation, religious identity, and the role of schools in promoting inclusivity.
Critics argue that portraying Onam as exclusively a Hindu festival disregards its cultural and social significance as Kerala’s harvest celebration, traditionally embraced across communities. The issue has quickly gained political traction, with the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) announcing a protest against the school’s management.
The row underscores ongoing tensions in Kerala over communal interpretations of festivals, raising broader questions about how cultural traditions should be celebrated in educational institutions without alienating sections of students.
