Bagalkot: St. Paul’s High Primary School of Ilkal in Bagalkot District has been ordered to remain closed till further instructions as the school has been alleged of being involved in religious conversion.
In the order issued by the Block Education Officer, it is said that the school was trying to convert students and their parents to Christianity. Based on this allegation, the action has been taken. Some right wing activists made such allegations against the school, the official said.
The order reportedly says that the school was celebrating Christmas by violating the government order. Thus, the school has been closed till further orders. Interestingly, the order does not mention the rules that are claimed to be violated by the school.
“On December 25, during Christmas, the school provided non-vegetarian food. This has embarrassed people and the department. The school should remain closed till further orders. Only after taking approval, the school should be reopened”, the order states.
It is said that Pro-Hindutva activist, Pradeep Amannavar had complained to the Tahsildar that the school has been involved in religious conversions.
He had alleged that the school management had arranged for liquor along with non-vegetarian food during Christmas at the school. At the event, a translation of the Bible in Kannada was also distributed among the attendees. This was nothing but an attempt to convert people, he said.
The names of principal and a school management committee member has been reportedly named in the complaint. The complaint has added that right from the commencement of the school, the management has been involved in converting people of backward communities such as Banjara, Ambiga etc. The school management has been disrespecting Hindu Gods. They are asking the people after getting converted, to throw away the photos of Hindu Gods. The complaint also made allegations of some officials of the Education Departments of taking bribes for the annual renewal of the school. The department should close the school and permission should be cancelled, the Hindutva activists have demanded.
Based on the complaint, the officials of the Education Department have taken action, the order said.
Meanwhile, speaking to mediapersons, school management committee member Johnson D’Mark has refuted all the allegations. He claimed that the school is not involved in any kind of religious conversions. The school is also not run by Christian missionaries. A group of people of different communities of Ilkal are running the school, he said. The management has people of all communities and students of all communities are studying in the school, he claimed.
