A controversy erupted at Arunodaya Concept High School in Bhavanipuram, Vijayawada, on 18 October 2025, after two students were allegedly denied entry for wearing Ayyappa Swamy malas. The incident occurred when two boys from Classes 3 and 5 arrived at school wearing the sacred mala, traditionally worn by devotees during the Ayyappa pilgrimage season.
Ayyappa Swami Mala time and the schools started their drama of not allowing children wearing Mala.
A school in Vidhyadharapuram, Vijayawada has not allowed a child wearing Ayyappa Mala into school.
Parents sat on Dharna, police tried to convince the school management, still… pic.twitter.com/RYKacCdmpW
— Tathvam-asi (@ssaratht) October 23, 2025
According to reports, the school management refused to allow the students inside the premises, citing a restriction on wearing religious symbols. Upon learning of the incident, the children’s parents arrived at the school and confronted Principal Bezawada Raja Rao. Local Ayyappa devotees also gathered in protest, demanding that the school withdraw its decision. Witnesses allege that the principal misbehaved with some parents during the confrontation and reiterated that students would not be permitted to attend classes wearing the mala.
As the situation grew tense, police arrived at the school to prevent escalation. Following discussions, the school management informed the police that they had written to the District Education Officer (DEO) seeking guidance on the matter and would review their position once a response was received. The police urged both sides to maintain peace, after which the Ayyappa devotees temporarily called off their protest.
The incident has drawn attention on social media, with users comparing it to the more recent Kerala hijab controversy, where a Muslim student was denied entry to a Christian institution. Critics allege a lack of national media coverage in the Vijayawada case, highlighting what they describe as uneven responses to issues of religious expression in educational institutions.
(Source: NTVTelugu)
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