Mandya (Karnataka), Dec 31: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has darted a notice to the management of the government aided Nirmala English High School run by Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate (SMMI) an international Christian missionary organization for allegedly ‘imposing Christianity’ on its Hindu students. The school is located in Mandya district of Karnataka.
Following complaints from parents of the Hindu students studying in this school the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) an organization fighting for the rights of the indigenous people approached the NCPCR. Accordingly, the NCPCR has sent the notice to the school, a report in ‘Hindu Post’ said.
According to the complainants, the school had compelled the minor Hindu students to participate in the Christian festivities such as Christmas and Good Friday and forced them to participate in daily Christian prayer irrespective of their religion but attending the National Anthem was made optional!
The school management was also accused of distributing Bible, Christmas greetings, and other Christian literature to students of non-Christian religions.
The IRPF in its letter to the NCPCR pointed that all these actions of the school management violated Article 28(3) of the Constitution which says, “No person attending any educational institution recognized by the State or receiving aid out of State funds shall be required to take part in any religious instruction that may be imparted in such institution or to attend any religious worship that may be conducted in such institution or in any premises attached thereto unless such person or, if such person is a minor, his guardian has given his consent thereto Cultural and Educational Rights.”
The LRPF also pointed to the fact that the school management forced the students to observe fast on the eve of Christian religious festivals that was in violation of the Right to Food inherent to a life with dignity and Article 21 of the Constitution that guarantees a fundamental right to life and personal liberty of citizens including minor children.
The LRPF further observed that making children observe fast is nothing but making them suffer from hunger in the name of ‘religious beliefs’ which is a crime under the Juvenile Justice Act, and called for immediate action from the NCPCR.
Taking note of the complaint, NCPCR has asked the Mandya District Deputy Commissioner to conduct an inquiry and initiate the necessary legal action against the school.
The NCPCR in its notice said, “In view of the allegations stated in the complaint, it is observed that there is prima facie contravention of Article 28(3) of the Indian Constitution, and provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
The NCPCR in its letter asked the District Deputy Commissioner Aswathi S. to initiate inquiry into the matter and take necessary action for the care and protection of these children. The Commission has also called for an action taken report (ATR) to be submitted with relevant document within seven days.
Courtesy : NEWS BHARATHI
