Row over gender neutrality: What is wrong in boys, girls sitting together, asks Kerala education minister V Sivankutty

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Education minister V Sivankutty has asked what is wrong in boys and girls sitting together on the same bench in a classroom. He was reacting to the controversies over gender neutrality.
"The government has not taken any decision on this and has not issued any orders. But what is wrong in them sitting together is what I do not understand," he said.
The minister said whatever the former minister from IUML has said shows their attitude towards such issues. But it cannot be said that this is the version of a party like IUML, he added.
Earlier, IUML leader and former minister M K Muneer had asked why the police register Pocso cases against men over sexual relationship with minor boys when the government promotes gender neutrality. He pointed out that gender neutrality challenges believers. "If there is gender neutrality, there is no need for such a case. Many people will misuse gender neutrality. Many boys will be sexually exploited," Muneer had said.
On Friday, IUML general secretary PMA Salam had claimed that it is dangerous to let boys and girls sit together in the classroom. "What is the need for girls and boys to sit together in classrooms? Why are you forcing them or creating such opportunities? It will only cause problems. Students will deviate from studies," he claimed.
Salam said the issue of opposition against gender neutrality was more of a moral issue than a religious one and added that people, cutting across religious divides, are concerned about the proposals mooted by the state government.