Sivankutty says govt is open to talks, Samastha chief welcomes decision

Time of India

12-07-2025

T'puram/Kozhikode: General education minister V Sivankutty on Saturday said that his comments on the change in school timings align with the court's stance. He stated that there is no defiant approach on the matter and that the govt is willing to discuss it with Samastha, which is opposing the new arrangement.
He mentioned that any organization has the right to protest and the govt is ready to have discussions with any of them who are objecting to the new timings. The govt has no adamant stand on this, he said.
The minister was responding to the reaction from Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama president Syed Muhammad Jifri Muthukoya Thangal, who flayed the new school timings.
Thangal criticised Sivankutty's stance and emphasised that responses to demands should be decent, regardless of who is making them.
He was responding to media comments made by Sivankutty on Friday, stating that the govt had no plans to change the new school timings introduced this year.
Sivankutty mentioned that the govt cannot adjust school hours to suit the demands of a section of society and suggested that those facing difficulties due to the new timings should adjust their schedules instead.
Reacting to these comments, Thangal stated that if the solution is to find new timings, then everyone can do that.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
AirSense 11 – Smart tech for deep sleep
ResMed
Buy Now
Undo
He pointed out that there are only 24 hours in a day and questioned how they could find another time. "Anyone can say that there is no point in protesting. That style is not correct. If they call for discussions, we are ready for it. Let them call us for a discussion. It is the demand of a major community. Isn't the ministry and govt for looking after the matters of the communities? Aren't these communities who vote? We don't have a feeling of being ignored since the chief minister is yet to respond to our memorandum," Thangal said.
Later in the day, Thangal welcomed the change in Sivankutty's stance that the govt was ready for discussions. Thangal told reporters that if a time was decided, then they were ready for discussion. "It is positive that he said he is willing to hold discussions, and we welcome that," he said.
Thangal mentioned that they wouldn't have objected to the change in timings unless it affected the timings of madrassas. Thangal added that the decision to hold protests was made before the possibility of discussions, and it will not take place if the outcome of the discussions is positive.
He stated that the Muslim community, especially the Sunni Muslims, is a large community, and it is their demand that the time they opt for religious education is not disrupted.
"So, when their demand is put forth, that needs to be considered. A memorandum on this was given to the chief minister. He is in the US for treatment. So, we were under the impression that a solution would be found once he returns but when certain statements are raised by the education minister before that, it would provoke us as well," he said.