Kerala Govt Slams Alleged Christmas Ban in Schools, Orders Probe

• Kerala government strongly condemned reports of some private schools banning Christmas celebrations and refunding money.
• General Education Minister V. Sivankutty warned against schools becoming 'communal laboratories' and rejected the 'North Indian model' of division.
• CPI(M) mouthpiece 'Deshabhimani' reported the ban by Sangh Parivar-associated and one Hindu-managed school.
• RSS and the Hindu-managed school denied a complete ban; the latter clarified only cake cutting is prohibited due to food poisoning fears.
• An immediate inquiry has been ordered into the matter, emphasizing Kerala's tradition of democratic thought and secularism.

Why It Matters: Kerala government condemns alleged Christmas ban in schools, orders probe, and vows to uphold secular values.