Thiruvananthapuram: The Women's Wall, being staged on Tuesday, is likely to affect the working of government offices and schools across the state as employees and teachers have been reportedly asked to participate. Schools have been given an afternoon off in several districts, including Kozhikode and Idukki.
Office chiefs have given employees the freedom to join the wall after marking their attendance. The office chiefs were given quotas to fill in specific spaces in the human wall.
While organisations allied with the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) are watching if such instructions are being carried out, warnings have been issued that employees and teachers who stay away from the wall will face action.
Schools won't work
An afternoon off means most schools may not function at all. In districts where such a closure has not been permitted, school officials have been allowed to decide whether to shutter if traffic has affected arrivals.
At the Agricultural University in Mannuthy, Thrissur, authorities have allowed women teachers and allied staff to attend the event after submitting a written application.
At the Kerala University, the registrar has granted similar permission to students also.
DDE circular draws flak
The Deputy Director of Education (DDE) in Alappuzha has come under fire for issuing a circular that directs all women staff members under his office to participate in the wall. The circular was issued even as the government was repeating that no one will be forced to join the wall.
The Kerala Pradesh School Teachers Association, an opposition organisation of teachers, has lodged a complaint with the director of general education, in which it has also been pointed out that such pressure tactics also violate a High Court order that no one should be coerced.
Minister G Sudhakaran, who is from the district, said the criticism is prompted by a misinterpretation of the circular. “It doesn't force anyone,” he said. “It's just a notification.”
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