Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal
Bantwal, Feb 21: Catholic Sabha Bantwal Zone Committee submitted a request to the chief minister of Karnataka through Bantwal taluk tahsildar requesting that an impartial investigation should be conducted into the St Gerosa School row by a retired judge of the high court instead of an IAS officer and whoever is guilty should be punished according to law and action should be taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
The request stated, “It has been learned that there is no truth in the allegations made by the local MLA Vedavyas Kamath and activists of many organizations regarding the lesson given by the English teacher of St Gerosa High School in Mangaluru here on February 10 as mentioned in the local police report. In this case, we regret to say that the events that took place under the leadership of MLAs are condemnable. It is reprehensible that the MLAs, who are supposed to give impartial justice, instead of solving the problem, gathered the school children, provoked them and shouted slogans against the teachers and the same school and ridiculed them.
“It is said that the parents, who say that the things said by the school teacher while reciting the poem of national poet Tagore, propagated through audio and gathered the religious fundamentalist organizations without drawing the attention of the school management board and conspired to smear the name of the school.
“Innumerable girls belonging to different castes have been educated in this school which has been run by nuns for almost 60 years. This school does not have any black spot till now. There are many instances where the school has taken care of the children's personal development and their health along with the curricular activities of the school children.
“In such a situation, without any consultation with the school management board, the local legislators raised slogans and protested by the children and forced them to fire the teacher. Acting like a dictator in a democratic country and then enjoying dancing with children is reprehensible.
“According to the local media reports, two local corporators and neighbouring MLAs such as Dr Bharat Shetty came and helped and created fear during this incident. They should take impartial action,” stated the appeal.
Spiritual director of Catholic Sabha Bantwal, Fr Valerian D'Souza, vice president Molly Tellis, secretary Alvin D'Souza, central immediate past president Stany Lobo, assistant pastors, sisters, officers and members of Agrar Church were present.