Mangaluru: The assault on Milagres College Principal Fr. Michael Santhmayor by student of the college Mohammad Shahnawaz took the city. Reacting to the incident, several like-minded organisations came together to stage a stir outside Deputy Commissioner’s office on Monday, October 24 and demanded arrest of the student.
An ultimatum was given to the city police by the like minded people from various organization who were shocked by the incident. A few days ago, the Catholic Sabha Mangaluru Pradesh had warned the police that they will run extensive protests if the perpetrator of the crime was not caught in three days.
Representatives from the ICYM, CITU, DYFI, BJP Minority Morcha and Milagres College authorities staged the agitation on this issue detesting the act of Shahnawaz. President of Parents-Teachers Association of Milagres College, Ronald said that Shahnawaz was given a lot of chances by Principal Fr. Michael in various bad behavior charges held against Shahnawaz from the college since it was his last year but when the matter came to attendance, the Principal’s kind gestures in the past was ignored by Shahnawaz as he performed the ultimate insulting act on the Principal.
“The institute is always open for rational behavior and for the willingness of the students in studies. But such acts of rowdism are strictly against the morals of any student. Moreover Shahnawaz has injured Fr. Michael badly. We demand an arrest on the brute and strict action be taken against him”, Ronald said.
BJP Minority Morcha President Joylus D’Souza said there could be a pressure from the state government in suppressing this issue and that should not be taken into account. “The culprit must be arrested immediately even if there is a pressure on the police from the government to keep this matter at bay. The Bharatiya Janata Party strongly condemns this uncivilized act of Shahnawaz”, he added.
Former BJP Minority Morcha President Franklin Monteiro mentioned that according to the observations made in the CCTV footage of the incident, Shahnawaz had brought four students from elsewhere to help him. An object wrapped in white towel was seen in Shahnawaz’s hand.
“There was something in his hand when he attacked the Principal, the police must take this case seriously and bust the people behind it. If the police can not do it, we ourselves will go on a manhunt and bring Shahnawaz to the police”, Franklin said while also speaking about the unity of people from various organizations in this matter.
CITU Leader Sunil Kumar Bajal said that Fr Micheal has been always known for his disciplinarian attitude, but at the same time, he is also known for his kindness.
“The person who goes to the extent of assaulting a teacher is not a student, but he is a hooligan who needs to be dealt sternly by the law,” he said insisting that the police brisk up its manhunt and nab Shahnawaz.
Among the like-minded people gathered at the protest were ICYM Director Fr. Ronald D’Souza, Rosario Parish Priest Fr. J B Crasta, NSUI President Ashith Pereira, BJP South Minority Morcha member Gladwin and Santhosh Bajal from DYFI.
Petition submitted to DC
A written complaint and a petition was submitted to Dakshina Kannada DC Dr. Jagadeesha after the protest. All the students and members of the various organizations who participated in the protest signed the petition.
The petition was then submitted to the DC along with BJP leader Ganesh Karnik in the presence of the heads of the organizations. Dr. Jagadeesha received the petition and said that he will personally look into the matter and pressurize the personnel of the Bunder Police Station and nab the culprit as soon as possible.
Diocesan committee submits appeal to DC and Commissioner of Police
Later in the evening, a committee from the Diocese of Mangalore and Milagres Degree College management led by Vicar General Fr. Denis Moras Prabhu along with other priests, nuns and community leaders met Deputy commissioner Dr. K. G. Jagdish as well as Commissioner of Police Chandra Sekhar and appealed for quick action and security for catholic institutions. Both the district authorities had assured to take up the matter with the concerned and assured of immediate action.
The team included Milagres Parish Priest Valerian S. D’Souza, State Minority Commission Member Marcel Montiero, Cathoilic Board of Educaion secretary Fr. Gerald D Souza, Rachana President Gilbert D Souza, Past President John Monteiro, ICYM director Fr Ronald D’Souza and others.
Catholics condemn Congress leaders silence
The Congress leaders who used to take center stage and give special attention in issues relating to minorities kept themselves away from attending the protest. Most of the leaders who were present in today’s protest are leaders from BJP.
Also, not a single Congress Leader including MLA J R Lobo and others have condemned the incident in public. This has angered the Catholics who are considered to be the Congress vote bank and made them to feel that congress is playing with their sentiments and using them for vote bank politics.
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