Sagar: Hindu extremists attack Catholic-run school teaching English for ‘hurting religious sentiments
In Madhya Pradesh a misunderstanding during a school lesson is exploited by Hindutva group to attack school run by the Sisters of Sain t Elizabeth. Bishop Athikalam slams the shameful violence against women who have been serving the community for 50 years, “working towards nation-building.”
Sagar (AsiaNews) – Once again, an incident at a Catholic school in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is being exploited by Hindu extremists to sow discord.
On 22 July, a complaint was filed against the principal of the Vandana Convent School, which is run by Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Elizabeth (CSSE), in Guna, after dozens of ABVP[*] activists raided the establishment, forcing the principal to "apologise" for "hurting religious sentiments".
Misrepresenting what happened during a regular lesson, a local newspaper, Patrika, claimed that the principal, Sr Catherine Vatolly, “got angry and snatched the mic from a student for reciting a Sanskrit shloka[†] or a verse from the Gita.”
As the news spread, the Hindutva-driven association demanded that the school be closed or that students be able to recite the invocation "Jai Shri Ram" every day in the school assembly.
In a state that is governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Guna district education officer, C S Sisodia, issued a warning against the school, threatening "action”.
However, everything is based on bogus facts. The school says the incident in question occurred during an activity that was planned to improve English language skills.
The principal had asked two students, who had just been elected captains, to give a "proper speech" in English during the morning school assembly. When one of them began to speak in Sanskrit, Sr Catherine interrupted him.
“One of them began his speech with a Sanskrit shloka. I thought he was giving his speech in Hindi, so I asked them to speak only in English. I asked twice, but I believe they couldn’t hear me and continued reciting the shloka. Then I approached one student, took the mic, and announced to the assembly that a speech should have an introduction, content, and conclusion. I gave them time until Saturday to prepare their speeches properly. After that, school activities continued as usual until Patrika published the misleading news.”
Following the newspaper article, a mob incited by the ABVP besieged the school for two hours, threatening retaliation for “anti-national activities” and “humiliating the Hindu religion”.
“My only intention was to ask students to give speeches in English,” Sr Catherine explained. “I want them to develop their English-speaking skills, learn English, and get rid of stage fright. I have never hurt anyone’s religious sentiment nor will I do so because I respect all religions.”
“This violence is shameful,” said a bitter Bishop James Athikalam of Sagar. It is part of a “larger scheme of targeting Christian Schools.”
“For the past 50 years Vandana Convent School has been serving the community, state and working towards nation-building. The majority of our students are from the majority community.”
Many school alumni “have made a name for themselves in every field of life. The Sisters of the Saint Elizabeth have dedicated their lives to the integral development of children through holistic education. This [incident] is very unfortunate.”
[*] Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad: All India Students' Council.
[†] A form of verse in Indian epic poetry.
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