A convent school in Mangaluru witnessed protests by students and right-wing groups over a complaint alleging “insult to Hindu gods” and a bid to convert students’ religion.
The protests were organised after a parent complained to the local police, accusing a teacher of the Catholic girls’ school of “insulting Hindu gods, poisoning the minds of students against Hindu religion, and conspiring to convert students from other religions to Christianity”.
The complaint also alleged that the school fed the students misinformation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi related to the Godhra incident and Bilkis Bano and “highlighted them in a disturbing way in the minds of students”.
The complaint also alleged that one of the teachers taught the students that Lord Ram was a mythological figure.
Following this, BJP MLA from Dakshin Kannada Vedavyas Kamath, along with Bajrang Dal and VHP members, reached the school on Monday and argued with the school administration.
“If you are going to support that kind of teacher, what has happened to your moral compass? Are you going to convert the entire society and our Hindus? If not, why are you supporting that teacher? Throw them out. Why are you keeping that teacher?” the BJP MLA asked the school authorities.
“What did the teacher say about Lord Ram? If you can’t respect a public representative, what will you do with kids? The Jesus that you worship wishes for peace. Your sisters are asking our Hindu kids to not keep tilak, flowers, anklets, kumkum. They have said pouring milk on Ram is waste. Why are you talking like this? If someone insults our belief, we won’t keep quiet. If someone insults your belief, you won’t keep quiet,” he added.
Videos showed VHP members, along with students, holding saffron flags and raising ‘Jai Shri Ram’ slogans outside the gate of the school.
Mangalore Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) has taken cognisance of the incident and has initiated an inquiry into the matter.