On 27 August 2025, police in Kerala registered a case against a school teacher accused of discouraging Muslim students from taking part in Onam celebrations. The incident took place at Sirajul Uloom English High School in Kadavallur, Thrissur.
The teacher, identified as Khadija, reportedly sent a voice message to parents advising them to prevent their children from participating in Onam, describing it as a festival belonging to another religion. In the recording, she emphasized that Muslims should follow Islamic principles and avoid engaging in what she described as polytheistic rituals.
She stated, “We should live according to the tenets of Islam. Celebrating Onam goes against our beliefs, and neither we nor our children should be involved. Participating in the customs of other religions could amount to ‘shirk’ (a serious sin in Islam).”
Khadija also remarked that young children must be raised in a strictly Islamic environment and shielded from religious practices that do not align with their faith. “Our children are still impressionable, and it’s important to instill in them the significance of avoiding such festivities. This year, we and our children will not be part of Onam,” she added.
Following a complaint from a member of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), police in Kunnamkulam filed a case under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which relates to incitement with the intent to cause unrest.
Onam, the state festival of Kerala, is widely embraced by people of all communities, regardless of religion.
This is not the first time issues of religious sensitivity have emerged during Onam. In 2022, a video circulated on social media showed Muslim girls in hijabs dancing at a school celebration of the festival. This sparked criticism from certain Muslim organizations. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) raised objections, claiming that dancing while wearing a hijab was inappropriate and contradicted the purpose of the Islamic dress code.
Muslim cleric Dr. Kalbe Sibtain Noori also commented on the matter, saying, “If those 600 girls chose to dance of their own free will, it’s their personal choice, which is protected in a democratic society. But if the school compelled them, that would be both unconstitutional and unlawful.”
He further noted that, under Islamic law, the hijab is a symbol of modesty and respect. “Dancing while wearing a hijab in front of non-related men is strictly forbidden in Islam according to Sharia,” Dr. Noori stated.
(With inputs from India Today)
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