Huge protests over derogatory remarks against Hinduism end with teacher’s suspension at St. Gerosa School in M’luru.

Mangaluru Christian School Management Suspends Female Teacher After Alleged Derogatory Remarks On Hindu Gods During A Classroom Session.  

Hindutva organisations and two Mangaluru MLAs take strong objection to alleged remarks made by Sr. Prabha in class.

B Upendran | HENB | Mangaluru | Feb 12, 2024:: After the students and their parents staged a huge protest and demanded to suspend the teacher, who allegedly made derogatory remarks against Hindu Gods, the management suspended the teacher with immediate effect, pending inquiry by the Education Department.

Sister Prabha, a teacher of a  ‘St. Gerosa Eng. Hr. Pry. School’  run by Christian Missionaries in Mangaluru has been suspended by the school management following the allegations of making derogatory remarks about Hindu gods during the moral education hour.

After the audio of a parent had gone viral on social media about a teacher allegedly making derogatory remarks on Hindu Gods and demand to take action against her. The parents of few students along with Hindu activists gathered in front of the school demanding the arrest of the teacher.

The controversy began on February 8 after a complaint was lodged at the Mangaluru South Police Station, accusing teacher Prabha of insulting the Ayodhya Sri Ram Mandir and Lord Rama while teaching the subject ‘Work is Worship’ at School.

DK Deputy Commissioner M.P. Mullai Muhilan visited the school on February 12, evening to conduct an inquiry into the matter. Education officers and police officials were present during the investigation.

After Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner  Mullai Muhilan and Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal held a lengthy meeting with the school management, School headmistress Sr. Anitha announced the decision to the media at the school premises in Jeppu.

Amid growing tensions, MLA Vedavyas Kamath of BJP  visited the school, demanding appropriate legal action against the teacher. Under his leadership, hundreds of parents and activists attempted to gherao the school. However, the police intervened, preventing MLA Kamath and parents from approaching the school gate.

In response to the incident, the headmistress of the school HM also assured the parents that the management has already appointed another teacher in her place. The headmistress emphasized the commitment to constitutional principles, religious tolerance, and equal respect for all beliefs. She acknowledged the temporary mistrust created by the incident and called for cooperation to rebuild trust for the better future of the students.

The decision to suspend teacher Prabha has been made to ensure transparency in the ongoing investigation by the district authorities. The school expects cooperation from parents and stakeholders throughout the inquiry process, she added.

In the history of 60 years, the school has delivered good education and instilled discipline among students. Such situations were not witnessed before, and the administration is keen on maintaining a positive educational environment. She added while appealing to the parents for collective efforts to work towards the bright future of the students.

On Saturday

The controversy erupted on Saturday, after a voice message of a parent of the school got circulated on social media alleging that the teacher had spoken lightly about Hinduism, Lord Rama etc., while teaching Class 7 students. Soon, Hindutva organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad-Bajrang Dal and the Hindu Jagarana Vedike and Mangaluru City North MLA Y. Bharath Shetty of BJP took up the issue and demanded action against the teacher.

On Monday

On Monday morning, VHP held a demonstration in front of the zilla panchayat office and demanded DDPI D.R. Naik initiate disciplinary action against the teacher concerned, latest by Wednesday.

They later gathered near the school and were joined by Mangaluru City South MLA D. Vedavyasa Kamath, school alumni and parents of students. Raising slogans against the school, they demanded against the teacher Sr. Prabha.

Nearly three hours into the protest, the school authorities informed the MLA and others that the teacher was under suspension. However, the MLA insisted the management also bring on record the incident.

As students began emerging out of the school after school hours, the MLA also came out and joined them in raising “Jai Shri Ram” slogans. A section of students expressed anguish over the alleged “anti-Hindu” conduct of the teacher.

On the arrival of Mr. Muhilan and Mr. Agrawal, Mr. Kamath refused to join them and asked the officers to initiate strict inquiry. The officers urged Mr. Kamath to get students dispersed.

The untoward incident broke out in St. Gerosa School in Mangaluru is a reminder to all Christian Missionary School managements who run a hidden anti-Hindu agenda in Education sector.

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__Inputs from The Hindu and  The Mangalorean.