Thiruvananthapuram, June 2 (IANS) A routine function at a Kerala government-run tribal school in the state capital snowballed into a major political controversy on Monday after BJP MLA V. Muraleedharan was accused of humiliating students by allegedly scattering sweets on a table instead of handing them directly to the children. Taking umbrage after seeing the viral video, CPI(M) leader Sivankutty demanded an apology over the BJP MLA’s conduct at the tribal school function.

The incident occurred during the Praveshanolsavam (school admission festival) at Kattela Model Residential School, attended primarily by Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe and other backward community students.

Muraleedharan, the local MLA and chief guest at the function, was tasked with distributing sweets to mark the occasion.

Videos and photographs from the event triggered a storm on social media, with critics alleging that the MLA emptied sweets from a packet onto a table and asked the children to pick them up rather than personally handing them over.

The visuals quickly drew accusations of discrimination and insensitivity, particularly given the social background of the students.

Former General Education Minister V. Sivankutty led the attack, describing the MLA’s conduct as degrading, discriminatory and shameful.

He said it was shocking that a public representative could allegedly treat children from marginalized communities in such a manner at an educational institution.

“Instead of encouraging the children by handing them sweets, they were made to pick them up from a table. Such actions hurt the self-respect of children and have no place in a civilized society,” Sivankutty said.

The former minister also trained his guns on State Minister K.A. Thulasi, who inaugurated the programme and was present when the incident occurred.

Sivankutty questioned why she did not intervene, calling her silence a serious lapse.

“Those who are expected to be role models for children stood by without correcting an act that undermined their dignity,” he alleged.

Demanding an apology from Muraleedharan, Sivankutty said discrimination against children belonging to marginalized sections of society could not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The Kerala BJP, however, rejected the criticism.

Party supporters argued that the MLA had not denied sweets to any student and had merely placed an entire packet before the children, allowing them to take as many as they wished.

Despite the defence, the incident has intensified a political slugfest, with the Opposition portraying it as evidence of social prejudice and the BJP dismissing the charges as a motivated controversy.

–IANS

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