Christian school forces Hindu students to read Bible: alleges Sri Ram Sena

Bengaluru: Sri Ram Sena founder Pramod Muthalik has come up targeting minority Christian community's school in Karnataka, accusing Clarence High School of forcing non-Christian students to read bible.

Muthalik alleged that the school is compelling its 90 per cent Hindu students to read Bible, which is given to every student in a booklet form, every day. He demanded the state government to cancel licence of the school and shift the students to other schools.

"Why is Bible being preached to Hindu students, who comprise 90 per cent of the total student population in the school?" he questioned. The school must be seized and students transferred to other schools, he demanded.

Hindu Jana Jagruthi Samithi has alleged that the students are made to read the Bible every day compulsorily. All the students have been given a Bible which is in the form of a booklet, they are told to carry it every day. If anyone objects, they are threatened with cancellation of admissions, they alleged.

The Samithi has further alleged that the school has violated and misused Article 25 of the constitution. The move amounts to violation of the guidelines of the Supreme Court, the Karnataka Education Act and Child Protection Laws. The Samithi would approach Education Minister B.C. Nagesh on this matter and demand cancellation of license of the school for forcefully imposing the Christian religion preaching to non-Christian students.

Reacting to the development, the education minister clarified that there is no provision for making the Bible reading compulsory in schools, if it is found to be true, action will be initiated against the school, he said.

George Mathew, the school Principal, has stated to the media that he is sad over the development. The Bible has been taught for 100 years. He maintained that advocates will answer all questions raised against the institution.

IANS Input