Kerala’s General Education Minister V. Sivankutty has denied that the government had dropped Congress legislator Rahul Mamkootathil’s name from the organising committee of the Kerala School Science Festival scheduled to be held from November 7 to November 10 in Palakkad.
Speaking to reporters in Palakkad on Monday (August 25, 2025), Mr. Sivankutty, nevertheless, counselled Mr. Mamkootathil, who is at the centre of an alleged sexual misconduct controversy, to keep away from the event.
He said the “deluge of complaints” against Mr. Mamkootathil about alleged inappropriate and misogynistic behaviour had “sparked deep concern among parents and teachers.”
“Parents and teachers accompany students to the science fest. The government cannot afford any confusion or disruption on account of the MLA’s presence,” he added.
Mr. Sivankutty said the government had shifted the festival venue to enable students, parents and teachers to bring their working and static models to the event without much difficulty.
On crude bomb explosion at school
Mr. Sivankutty said the government was weighing whether to withdraw the no-objection certificate for the private school in Palakkad where a crude bomb explosion had injured two persons, including a woman and a minor.
“The Rashtriya Swayaamsevak Sangh (RSS) runs the Vyasa Vidya Peethom Vidyanikethan School at Vadakkanthara. It uses the school ground for martial training and storing weapons, including explosives. So far, the police have discovered six bombs, including the one which exploded, possibly accidentally. The government is primarily concerned about the safety of students, teachers and parents. I have asked the Deputy Director, General Education, to investigate the matter and also sought a report from the police”, he said.
Published – August 25, 2025 02:00 pm IST
