The owner of a private school in Kerala’s Thrissur district has sparked controversy after telling parents that students who skipped the school’s Independence Day celebrations should “go to Pakistan” and “do not deserve to live here”.
Raju Davis, owner of Dr Raju Davis International School and Sainik School in Mala, made the remarks in a voice message shared in a parents’ WhatsApp group after the August 15 celebrations.
‘They do not deserve to live here’
In the voice note, Davis criticised parents who did not send their children to the school’s Independence Day programme despite the school arranging transport for students.
“When the country celebrates Independence Day, not paying heed to it and sitting at home is outrageous. These people should go to some other country like Pakistan. They do not deserve to live here. They have no respect for the country,” he said.
Davis also said students who missed the celebrations would not be allowed to attend their classes for the first period and would have to meet him with their parents to explain their absence.
He said the school had arranged buses on all routes at a cost of around ₹1 lakh so that students could attend the programme. He added that the purpose was to teach children about the freedom struggle and the importance of Independence Day.
SFI stages protest
The remarks triggered criticism, with questions being raised over whether missing a school event should be equated with a lack of patriotism.
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) held a protest march to the school, condemning Davis’ comments. Fayis AH, president of the Fraternity Movement in Thrissur district, also filed a police complaint, according to reports.
Police, however, said no formal case had been registered at the time, as no parents had filed a complaint. Petitions submitted by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) were reportedly being considered.
School owner later withdraws statement
Davis initially defended his remarks, saying he had mentioned Pakistan because he considered it an “enemy country” and insisted that his comments were not communal.
“I never mentioned any religion. I didn’t say go to Bangladesh, Arab countries or Sudan. I said Pakistan because of my patriotism,” he said.
However, he later withdrew the statement and expressed regret over the controversy.
“I am withdrawing the statement and am saddened that it has caused pain to people,” Davis said, adding that he had made the remarks “out of emotion”.
