Kasaragod, Kerala: Students of Kumbala Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) on Monday successfully re-staged a pro-Palestine mime that was disrupted by teachers during last week’s school art festival in Kasaragod district. The performance, which drew a large audience, was organised as part of the school’s annual art festival and aimed to highlight the sufferings of people in Palestine.
This time, the students adhered strictly to guidelines, ensuring the performance did not include raising the Palestine flag or chanting slogans. Despite these precautions, some members of the audience were heard shouting pro-Palestine slogans during the performance.
Students’ perspective
Speaking to reporters, one of the students involved said, “We are very happy to get the opportunity to stage the mime again. We thank everyone who supported us. Our intention is to showcase the sufferings of people in Palestine, and it was not against anyone.”
The mime was performed by six students dressed in black, who conveyed their message purely through gestures and expressions, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Palestine without targeting any individual or group.
Opposition and protests
Meanwhile, BJP activists staged a protest march against the mime at the school. Police intervened and blocked the protesters before they could reach the school gate. The protesters demanded legal action, stating, “It is illegal to shout slogans supporting another country at a school event. A case should be registered and an investigation conducted.”
The protest reflects the political sensitivity surrounding international issues in educational institutions, especially when such matters are presented in public performances.
Background of last week’s disruption
Last Friday, the initial mime performance was disrupted midway by two teachers, who forced the organisers to close the stage curtains. This action drew sharp criticism from students, parents, and student organisations, prompting discussions about freedom of expression in schools.
The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) held a meeting on Saturday and decided to suspend the arts festival, which led to protests by student organisations such as MSF and SFI, demanding action against the teachers involved.
Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty intervened in the matter, supporting the students’ right to stage the performance and affirming the state’s support for Palestine. The Education Department conducted a formal investigation into the incident and filed a report with the District Education Officer.
Measures for Monday’s re-staging
For the re-staged performance, the school and students followed strict guidelines to avoid controversy. The mime focused solely on humanitarian issues, avoiding political symbols or slogans. The authorities ensured that security and crowd management were in place, preventing disruptions from outside groups, including political protesters.
The event successfully proceeded without interruption, allowing students to express themselves artistically and raise awareness on a global humanitarian issue.
Conclusion
The re-staging of the pro-Palestine mime at Kumbala GHSS underscores the balance between freedom of expression and public order in educational institutions. While political sensitivities remain, the event demonstrates that students can convey important social messages responsibly. The support from Kerala’s Education Minister and the measures taken by the school ensured that the performance was conducted peacefully and safely, reinforcing the importance of art as a medium for awareness and empathy.