A performance by UKG students of St. Mary’s School in Allapra, Perumbavoor, at a CBSE schools’ arts festival in Aluva has sparked controversy after its lyrics allegedly portrayed people dressed in Arab attire as thieves and terrorists.

The action song was staged at an arts festival hosted by Christava Mahilalayam School in Aluva.

The performance featured children acting out a scene in which people wearing Arab-style clothing board a train, plant explosives and flee.

According to a translation of the lyrics reported by Maktoob Media, the song included lines describing them as “thieves and terrorists” and referring to bombs being placed on railway tracks.

The performance drew objections from audience members and representatives of other participating schools, who questioned the content of the song.

Reports also said that the same school had performed the song at the previous year’s competition and won first prize, without attracting similar public attention.

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The incident has since led to police complaints and demands for an investigation. The Ernakulam district committee of the Fraternity Movement filed a complaint at the Perumbavoor police station through its district general secretary, Ashiq Panayikkulam.

The organisation alleged that a children’s cultural platform had been used to promote Islamophobia and sought a detailed investigation.

The Perumbavoor constituency committee of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) also submitted a complaint to the police.

Its president, Shameer M.H., demanded action against the teachers, school management and songwriters under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Juvenile Justice Act.

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Responding to the controversy, St. Mary’s School manager T.J. Eldhose said the management had initiated an internal inquiry into the incident.

He explained that the audio track was an old song that had been used by several schools in competitions over the years. The song was selected without any intention to hurt a particular community, he said.

Eldhose also expressed regret on behalf of the school management if the lyrics had caused distress to any community.

(With inputs from Maktoob Media)