A school teacher in Kerala’s Thrissur district has been booked for allegedly urging Muslim students to “stay away” from Onam celebrations at the institution, The Indian Express reported.

Onam is a harvest festival linked to Hindu mythology celebrated in Kerala.

According to the complaint, Khadeeja, a teacher at Sirajul Uloom English Medium School in Kadavallur village circulated a voice message on WhatsApp saying that participating in Onam celebrations would amount to “shirk”.

Shirk is a term in Islam that refers to polytheism or the worship of more than one god.

“Onam is a ritual of the Hindu community,” the voice message said, according to The Indian Express. “Neither we nor our children should be part of it in any manner… We should not get associated with the rituals of other communities.”

A complaint against Khadeeja was filed by one Hassan Muhammed of Kadavallur. Based on it, the police filed a case under a section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to giving provocation with the intent to cause a riot.

The remarks drew criticism from parents and local organisations, OnManorama reported.

After the case was filed, the school management suspended Khadeeja pending an inquiry.

The school said her comments were her “personal opinion” and not that of the institution, OnManorama reported. It added that Onam had always been celebrated on its campus and would be this year as well.

Onam festivities began this year on August 26 and will end on September 5.