Sun Jul 13 15:00:33 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Kerala Government and Governor Clash Over “Foot Worship” Ceremony in Schools**

**Thiruvananthapuram, July 13, 2025** – A controversy has erupted in Kerala following the performance of “pada puja,” a foot-washing ceremony, by students of Bharatiya Vidya Niketan schools in several districts. The incident, which involved students kneeling and washing the feet of teachers and, in one instance, a BJP leader, has drawn widespread condemnation from political parties, child rights bodies, and civil society.

The Raj Bhavan and the Kerala government are now at odds over the practice, with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar defending it as an integral part of Indian culture. “Gurupuja is an integral part of Indian culture. Some people object to it. I don’t understand which culture these people are coming from. If we cast aside these practices, it will seriously affect the very existence of society,” said Mr. Arlekar, speaking at a Balagokulam (an RSS-affiliated organization) event.

General Education Minister V. Sivankutty, however, has strongly criticized the ceremony, alleging that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is using the Governor to promote regressive practices aimed at instilling a “slave mentality” in students. He directed the Director of Public Instruction (DPI) to investigate the matter and demand explanations from the schools involved. “It is unfortunate that someone holding the position of Governor would make such statements. I would like to know which particular text related to Indian culture celebrates the practice of students washing the feet of their teachers. We are issuing directions to all the school authorities that no student studying in any school in Kerala should be made to wash the feet of teachers or anyone else,” he told the press.

The Minister stated that the government would take appropriate action based on the DPI’s report, which is expected within a week. Though the government had limitations in taking action against unaided school managements, they still require an NOC from the government to function.

Political opposition to the ceremonies is strong. Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary M.V. Govindan accused the RSS of attempting to revive a feudalistic ritual to advance its caste-based agenda. “We are not against respecting teachers, but that should not be an excuse to revive such feudalistic practices. Students were even made to wash the feet of RSS leaders. It is part of an RSS agenda to erode Kerala’s secular and democratic fabric. The secular society of Kerala has to unitedly oppose this,” he stated.

All India Congress Committee (Organisation) general secretary K.C. Venugopal echoed the sentiment, calling the Governor a “shame for progressive Kerala” for defending such practices. “Such a Governor is a shame for progressive Kerala,” he said.

The controversy underscores a growing tension between traditional practices and modern values in Kerala’s education system and society at large. The government’s response and the DPI’s investigation will be closely watched as the debate continues.

Read More