The principal further told the parents of students that any religious symbols would not be tolerated in the school. (Representative pic) | Photo Credit: Thinkstock

Thiruvananthapuram: In a bizarre diktat issued by a government school Principal in Palakkad district of Kerala, students were threatened with expulsion if they came to school with kumkum on their foreheads or sacred threads on their wrists. The principal further told the parents of students that any religious symbols would not be tolerated in the school.

The strange circular stumped the parents who say their kids are studying in sub-junior sections like Class 1 and 2, why is a communal agenda in education by the principal, that too in a government school which has no links to any religious trust. They also alleged that the Principal was used to issuing such diktats from time to time but now had sent an official circular threatening to terminate the child from school records and they had objected to the circular in the parent teacher meeting held in the school recently. It is to be noted that the Indian Constitution gives the right of expression of religion and any such diktats that stifle one’s freedom of expression are not in tune with the fabric of the country’s diversity.

#BREAKING: No kumkum, religious symbols will be allowed in school in #Kerala. Principal threatens expulsion if rule not followed. Parents object new school rules; protest outside Govt.@RahulEaswar speaks to MIRROR NOW on #RightToDress pic.twitter.com/Jm1tXM3LSx — Mirror Now (@MirrorNow) June 27, 2018

Rahul Easwar, activist, told Mirror Now that this was a classic case of abuse of power where the Principal was enforcing his own version of discipline. He added that India was a plural country where diversity was celebrated and such acts would only hamper in the growth of kids. The Principal did not allow media persons in the school nor did he give any answers to the queries posted by Mirror Now.