Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Thursday said religious organisations should not "unnecessarily interfere" in educational matters, amid reports that a Sunni scholars' association is planning to protest the recent revision in school timings.

The Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, a prominent association of Sunni scholars with the largest support base among Kerala Muslims, has reportedly decided to launch protests against the state government's decision to extend school hours by 30 minutes.

Samastha has expressed concern that the revised schedule could affect madrassa education for nearly 12 lakh students.

Nasar Faizy Koodathai, a key leader of the Samastha Kerala Jam-Iyathul Qutba Committee, said there was a broad consensus—even among opposition leaders—that the new school timings should be reconsidered.

He claimed that Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan had also called for discussions on the matter.

Koodathai further alleged that the government was attempting to introduce "anti-religious" ideas such as gender neutrality in schools.

He said the government had previously assured Muslim organisations that gender neutrality would not be included in textbooks.

However, the topic has now been introduced in the class 9 curriculum, he alleged, calling it a "violation of the assurance" given to religious groups.

Earlier in the day, responding to questions from a television channel, Minister Sivankutty maintained that exam schedules or school timings could not be altered for a particular section of society.

"Such decisions cannot be made by a democratically elected government," he added.

The minister described the demands to roll back the revised school timings as "undemocratic" and said they carried a tone of "intimidation," posing a direct challenge to the government.

"There are many organisations that have raised similar demands. If we were to accommodate all of them, it would be impossible to run schools," Sivankutty said.

"Religious organisations should not unnecessarily interfere in the education sector. Such interference cannot be accepted under any circumstances," he asserted.

He also dismissed the need for further discussions on the issue, stating that the decision impacts the education of 30-35 lakh students and was made in their best interest.

Sivankutty clarified that the additional 15 minutes in both the morning and afternoon sessions were implemented in compliance with a court order. He urged those opposing the move to seek legal recourse.

The minister reiterated that the school hours were extended—by 15 minutes each in the morning and afternoon, except on Fridays—for 16 days a month to meet the mandated instructional time equivalent to 220 teaching days, as required under the national education calendar and state regulations.