Kerala school uniform controversy: Photographer charged under POCSO Act over management's complaint

A few days ago, a photo of three girls wearing their school uniform in Kerala had gone viral on social media with netizens calling it "vulgar." Following the uproar, the school management had even decided to change the overcoat in question for looking like innerwear.

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However, the management of St Alphonsa Public School, Aruvithura, Kottayam, has filed a complaint against photographer Bose Eapen, who captured the photo. He is the owner of a studio named Gloria near the school. Though Erattupetta police have charged him under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Bose has sought anticipatory bail.

"This is just a baseless allegation against me and I see this as an attack against individual's right to speak. The situation has gone really worse as I cannot even face my relatives or friends [translated from Malayalam]," he told reporters in Kottayam.

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The viral image was initially shared on Facebook by photographer Zacharia Ponkunnam that welcomed many negative comments from netizens, who criticised the school authorities for designing the uniform indecently.

Soon, PTA executives of the institution, Sabu Poondikulam and Johnson Cheruvallil, had said in an official statement: "It is decided to remove the small jacket from the uniform of girls from Std I to X. For girls of Classes VI to X, a new overcoat will be provided from the school. In the meantime, they are allowed to use the old uniform."