Parents wishing to leave the choice of religion and caste to their children at a time in the future face a tough time when it comes to filling up school admission forms.
The problem is more pronounced for couples who have had inter-faith marriage because decades-old government order empowering parents not to declare religion and a reference in the Kerala Education Rules in this regard are overlooked by some schools, which insist on information on caste and religion.
“Though such instances have come down over the years, it still rears its head every now and then especially in aided and unaided schools. Some schools warn of future problems for children while some others are ignorant of the government order while insisting on declaration of religion and caste,” said C.P. Krishnakumar, the secretary of Secular Society which is a constituent of Kerala Samsthana Mishra Vivaha Sangatana Aikyavedi.
Lawyer and media critic A. Jayasankar said schools had no say in the religion of their students once parents decide not to declare it. It was a violation of fundamental rights and could be questioned in a court of law, he said.
However, Public Service Commission chairman K.S. Radhakrishnan said there was no escape from caste and religion, which are a social and cultural reality in Indian circumstances.
“Social reforms cut off from social realities are not possible. Besides, what right parents have in denying various reservation and other benefits entitled to their children by not declaring their religion,” he said.
Suresh who chose not to declare the religion at the time of admission of his child borne out of inter-caste marriage said that it was all about conviction. “Schools may ask for religion but they agree if you strongly air your views and stick by them,” he said.
