A 35-year-old teacher, Jijo James from Perumbavoor in Ernakulam, has been suspended following his arrest over an alleged attempt to disrupt the Kerala state school sports meet by displaying a worm purportedly found in sambar served at the athletes’ dining hall at the NIT ground in Kozhikode.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when Jijo claimed to have found a worm in the food and shared a video on social media, triggering a commotion at the venue. The Education Department ordered his suspension on Thursday, pending investigation. Police registered two cases under Sections 170 and 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to alleged provocation and preventive action over concerns about public peace.
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State General Education Minister N. Samsudheen alleged that the incident was a deliberate attempt to disrupt the sports meet for political reasons. He questioned the quick arrival of two television channel representatives and said police would investigate the alleged conspiracy.
Food contractor Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboothiri alleged that the same person had complained about worms in puttu on an earlier day and later in sambar. He questioned the allegation, citing the large quantity of sambar prepared and its prolonged boiling, and claimed the circulated photographs were intended to damage his reputation. These allegations have not been independently established.
The state school sports meet began on October 25 and is scheduled to conclude on October 31. The incident remains under investigation.
