Webdesk: A viral video recorded in a school in Bandadka, Kasaragod, India, has sparked great outrage and political criticism among a wide audience. The video depicts children in school participating in a ceremony called Guru Pada Pooja, in which students are shown cleaning the feet of not just of teachers but also of BJP & RSS leaders.
During the Guru Purnima celebrations at private schools affiliated with the RSS-backed Bharatheeya Vidya Niketan (BVN), students were reportedly made to wash the feet not only of their teachers but also of BJP and RSS leaders.
The act has drawn widespread outrage, with many calling it a disturbing attempt to normalise caste-based practices and political indoctrination in the name of tradition.
In what is truly a shocking act, Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has defended the ritual strongly terming it a part of Indian culture, going to extent of justifying children kneeling before and cleaning the feet of people in politics.
It is criticized as something that deprives students of the dignity, and means that the boundaries between education, politics, and the archaic pretense of caste hierarchies are being erased.
This ceremony was part of Guru Poornima celebrations held in several private schools linked to Bharatheeya Vidya Niketan (BVN), which follows the educational philosophy of Vidya Bharati, the academic wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
During last wk's Guru Purnima students at RSS affiliated pvt schools (BVN) kids were made to wash the feet https://t.co/aE6opVHGbs
— Meenu Jain (@meeejaay) July 14, 2025
The ritual has been slammed by many as outdated and casteist. The backlash intensified when it came to light that students were made to touch the feet not only of their teachers but also of BJP and RSS leaders.
According to sources, Pada Puja is a Hindu ritual where devotees wash the feet of their ‘guru’ as a sign of respect and gratitude. It is meant to honour spiritual teachers.
But in this case, students were made to wash the feet of BJP and RSS leaders, “not just of teachers but also of BJP & RSS leaders,” turning a sacred tradition into a political show, which many have strongly criticised.
One viral post read: “A Brahminical casteist ritual! Also, would u like to see ur kids grow up as a Slave?”
So this happened in Kerala. During last wk's Guru Purnima students at RSS affiliated pvt schools (BVN) kids were made to wash the feet not just of teachers but also of BJP & RSS leaders.
— Rahul Seeker (@sunshine_rahul) July 14, 2025
A Brahminical casteist ritual! Also would u like to see ur kids to grow up as a Slave? 🧵1/3 pic.twitter.com/UamMUzOM9k
Previously, A 19-year-old Dalit youth from Banaskantha district has tragically died by suicide after allegedly being beaten and humiliated by five upper-caste men for simply wearing clothes they deemed “too similar” to their own.
Police have filed a case against the accused under relevant legal sections.
In another shocking incident from Kutch, Gujarat, a Dalit youth who visited a local temple was subjected to severe caste-based humiliation.
After his visit, members of the dominant caste allegedly said the temple would now have to be “purified.”
The youth was reportedly forced to lick their boots and threatened with dire consequences if he dared to approach the police.
The incident has sparked outrage, highlighting the continued cruelty of caste-based oppression in parts of India even today.
Gujarat Model
— Брат (@1vinci6le) May 11, 2023
A Dalit youth went to the temple, the caste hindus of the village said: Now the temple will have to be washed. He was asked to lick the boots and was threatened not to file police complaint. This incident is from Kutch, Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/GXHC2WQTTm
This tragic event has again brought to light the sadistic truth of caste-based discrimination that is still raging in sections of India.
Indicators of caste prejudice so deeply ingrained are now apparently being covertly passed on to young children, leading to fears about of a process that renders these distinctions familiar at an early age through rituals and practices in schools.
Students are made to wash teachers' feet in Kerala and teachers are shamelessly allowing their students to do so! If such nasty customs are permitted, Kerala will defeat Uttar Pradesh and Bihar soon in promoting feudal Brahmanical culture! pic.twitter.com/YZIoBhaTT4
— Dr. Rehna Raveendran (@Rehna_AntiCaste) July 14, 2025
Following public uproar, Kerala’s General Education Minister V Sivankutty ordered an official inquiry into the incident. The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has also taken note and registered a suo motu case.
Critics argue that such practices amount to glorifying slavery under the cover of cultural values. Social media has been flooded with angry reactions.
In schools run by Bharatiya Vidya Niketan and Vivekananda Vidya Peetham, which are operated by the RSS in Kerala, students were made to wash not only the feet of teachers but also those of RSS and BJP leaders on the occasion of Guru Purnima…
— Vijesh Raj Palaparthi (@VijeshRaj_P) July 14, 2025
Are we teaching young children the… pic.twitter.com/TdjevYlI1b
One netizen questioned: “Are we teaching young children the mindset of slavery in the name of Indian culture?” further questioning: “Our children received blessings from the guests through these acts! Insane!”
Now as after huge public outrage the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has registered a suo motu case the school PT Uma, headmistress of the Bandadka school clarified Our children received blessings from the guests through these acts! Insane! 2/3 pic.twitter.com/ulR4bXALa4
— Rahul Seeker (@sunshine_rahul) July 14, 2025
Despite the backlash, the Governor of Kerala, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, defended the practice, claiming that children kneeling and washing the feet of elders and political figures was part of Indian tradition.
Now the Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has strongly defended the practice as part of Indian culture, kids kneeling & washing the feet of teachers and BJP RSS leaders!
— Rahul Seeker (@sunshine_rahul) July 14, 2025
Sati was also once Indian Culture, and so Child marriage. Will he defend that too? 3/3 pic.twitter.com/s1vczIbk1K
SFI state president M Sivaprasad strongly condemned the incident, stating: “The incident demands strong condemnation and legal action, as it reflects an attempt to impose the RSS-backed Chaturvarnya system in Kerala.”
Meanwhile, PT Uma, the headmistress of the Bandadka school, came forward to clarify the event’s intent after the controversy broke out. But for many, the damage had already been done.
The ritual, now being widely criticised as regressive and rooted in caste hierarchy, has triggered serious concerns over what kind of values are being promoted in these RSS-affiliated schools.
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