School Games Protests: Police Allegedly Beat Up Students Who Took to Streets; Minister Blames Teachers for Malice

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala - In a tense turn of events, the Kerala school games closing ceremony was marred by violent protests after the announcement of results in the Best School category. The chaos erupted when G V Raja sports school was declared as runner-up, pushing Navamukunda HSS to third place and leaving Mar Basil HSS with no prize.

According to Minister for General Education V Sivankutty, there was a deliberate attempt to disrupt the function, citing alleged complaints from Navamukunda HSS about their position being threatened. However, the minister blamed teachers of both schools for orchestrating the trouble, saying they demanded that G V Raja sports school be excluded and the highest points awarded to them.

"It's an organized attempt by the officials of these schools to create problems during our cultural festival," Sivankutty said in a press note. "Some students and the teachers were trying to cause a dent to the prestige and honor of the sports meet, which is unacceptable."

Eyewitnesses claimed police allegedly mistreated protesting students and beat them with sticks and kicks. The official points table on the website had shown Navamukunda HSS and Mar Basil HSS in second and third positions, respectively. In reality, G V Raja sports school was declared as runner-up.

"We received complaints from Navamukunda HSS when we announced their position," Sivankutty explained. "We assured them that their concerns would be taken seriously. However, they paid no heed and attempted to disrupt the function."

The Kerala school sports meet manual was revised on August 17, 2018, but does not distinguish between General schools and Sports schools, according to the minister.

"This incident will serve as a warning for everyone involved in such malice," Sivankutty warned. "We will make sure that all institutions in the state adhere by the rules and regulations of school sports."

The incident has left many worried about the future of education and sports in Kerala, with questions raised over how similar incidents can be prevented in the future.

"The police acted in an unacceptable manner," said a protester who wished to remain anonymous. "It was a terrible sight seeing our friends being beaten up by the police."

Authorities have been urged to take serious action against those responsible for inciting violence and ensure that such events never occur again.