India Christian schools protest over 'Hindu move'

[new wave]

BBC News - India Christian schools protest over 'Hindu move'
21 May 2010

The authorities want more recognition of Hindu culture

Christian schools in the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay) have opposed a proposal by civic authorities to promote Hindu culture in classrooms.

They argue that plans to introduce Hindutva culture - or the Hindu way of life - into missionary schools is unconstitutional and unfair.

The proposal is now being considered by the Maharashtra state government.

The body which runs the 150-odd Christian schools in Mumbai is now preparing to take legal action.

Archdiocesan Board of Education (Abe) General Secretary Gregory Lobo told the BBC that his schools promoted respect for all faiths and there was no need to focus on a particular faith.

Most Abe schools are considered prestigious and are known for their academic excellence.

They receive financial help from the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, which put forward the new proposal during a review of financial help given to these schools.

A right-wing Hindu coalition comprising the Shiv Sena party and the Bharatiya Janata Party runs the corporation.

On Tuesday the authority asked schools, among other things, to teach pupils about Hindu traditions and increase the number of holidays on Hindu festivals.

It also urged schools to allow Hindu students to wear clothes associated with Hinduism as well as bangles and bindis - a decoration mark mostly found on the foreheads of Hindu women.

 

[Ha Ha Ha]

one foreign Christian preacher Graham Stein along with his family were burned alive in india a few years back... type graham stein orissa on your browser... i can't post links... don't know why... ha ha ha.

 

[ramu]

one foreign Christian preacher Graham Stein along with his family were burned alive in india a few years back... type graham stein orissa on your browser... i can't post links... don't know why... ha ha ha.

Stick to the topic.

 

[gubbi]

BBC News - India Christian schools protest over 'Hindu move'
21 May 2010

The authorities want more recognition of Hindu culture

Christian schools in the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay) have opposed a proposal by civic authorities to promote Hindu culture in classrooms.

They argue that plans to introduce Hindutva culture - or the Hindu way of life - into missionary schools is unconstitutional and unfair.

The proposal is now being considered by the Maharashtra state government.

The body which runs the 150-odd Christian schools in Mumbai is now preparing to take legal action.

Archdiocesan Board of Education (Abe) General Secretary Gregory Lobo told the BBC that his schools promoted respect for all faiths and there was no need to focus on a particular faith.

Most Abe schools are considered prestigious and are known for their academic excellence.

They receive financial help from the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, which put forward the new proposal during a review of financial help given to these schools.

A right-wing Hindu coalition comprising the Shiv Sena party and the Bharatiya Janata Party runs the corporation.

On Tuesday the authority asked schools, among other things, to teach pupils about Hindu traditions and increase the number of holidays on Hindu festivals.

It also urged schools to allow Hindu students to wear clothes associated with Hinduism as well as bangles and bindis - a decoration mark mostly found on the foreheads of Hindu women.

Interesting. The municipal corporation provides funds for these schools and apparently they have the right to change rules, given that it does not violate the state's guidelines.

That being said, it is actually a foolish move. How much more can you impose "Hindu" culture? I mean in a country where every tradition, including some of those followed by people of different faiths, find their roots in the ancient rites and traditions of the great land! Secondly, the schools have a code of conduct - guidelines which adhere to the state's guidelines. Any body cannot just up and change those according to their whims!

I studied in a catholic convent school. We were made to say prayers and hymns in the morning and in the evening. We had a strict uniform code. There was nothing wrong with it and no one, not even a single parent had any problems with that! I think instilling discipline at an early age is the best thing to do, not make the girls wear bangles or ear-rings or bindis in the school!

These neo-conservatives and "born again Hindus" like the Shiv Sena and RSS and VHP thugs need to be ignored and ridiculed! They cannot do much, apart from raising some noice now and then.

 

[rubyjackass]

BS and unverified.

They receive financial help from the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, which put forward the new proposal during a review of financial help given to these schools.
A right-wing Hindu coalition comprising the Shiv Sena party and the Bharatiya Janata Party runs the corporation.

They are in power does not mean they run it.

 

[KS]

Interesting. The municipal corporation provides funds for these schools and apparently they have the right to change rules, given that it does not violate the state's guidelines.

That being said, it is actually a foolish move. How much more can you impose "Hindu" culture? I mean in a country where every tradition, including some of those followed by people of different faiths, find their roots in the ancient rites and traditions of the great land! Secondly, the schools have a code of conduct - guidelines which adhere to the state's guidelines. Any body cannot just up and change those according to their whims!

I studied in a catholic convent school. We were made to say prayers and hymns in the morning and in the evening. We had a strict uniform code. There was nothing wrong with it and no one, not even a single parent had any problems with that! I think instilling discipline at an early age is the best thing to do, not make the girls wear bangles or ear-rings or bindis in the school!

These neo-conservatives and "born again Hindus" like the Shiv Sena and RSS and VHP thugs need to be ignored and ridiculed! They cannot do much, apart from raising some noice now and then.

And if these missionaries protest for these...... is it not unconstitutional on the part of missionary schools to force students from Hindu,Islamic and Sikh communitis to sing hymn and prayers from bible..?

After law is law for everyone..

 

[Mallu]

And if these missionaries protest for these...... is it not unconstitutional on the part of missionary schools to force students from Hindu,Islamic and Sikh communitis to sing hymn and prayers from bible..?

After law is law for everyone..

What about Schools run by HINDUS Organizations.

What about Christians, Islamic and Sikh Communities , Dont they have to sing Hymn form Gita?

 

[Mirza Jatt]

What is the big deal in the news guys ???? strange reactions coming from my Indian friends.

In our country evry group has a right to protest for anything that they feel is not correct...so If The Hindu group is asking for something, then those catholic schools will either follow it or simply take legal help and the matter will be asolved,just like an other petty issue.

There are Hindu cultured schools,Madrasas,Missionary schools and Khalsa schools,if the parents wants their childrento have the Hindu culture then they will send them to Hindu cultured schools similarly others to their respective schools where they want teir pupils to study....its a common trend in our country to send children to different schools inspite of the culture or religion they represent...most of the Children go to the missionary schools because of the quality of education.infact I remember studying with Hindu,Muslim and even Jain students who studied with me in my Khalsa school and praying with coverings on their head...that does not take them away from one's culture..thats how we have been.

 

[raleigh22]

one foreign Christian preacher Graham Stein along with his family were burned alive in india a few years back... type graham stein orissa on your browser... i can't post links... don't know why... ha ha ha.

You would also find that his killer has since been convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
You would also find that his wife continued to live in India till 2004 and was awarded the Padma Shri for her services to India.

And if these missionaries protest for these...... is it not unconstitutional on the part of missionary schools to force students from Hindu,Islamic and Sikh communitis to sing hymn and prayers from bible..?

After law is law for everyone..

No one can force any child to participate in any religious instruction or worship in any school under Article 28(3) unless the child's guardian consents. If there was any compulsion, the parents could take the school to court. How come the Shiv Sena just makes general allegations, without any specific case?

The Shiv Sena corporators are raking up this non-issue because they wanted students to be admitted on their recommendation to some of these schools. When this wasn't done, this was their way of getting back.

Hindustan Times - All for a quote in Mumbai's 200 missionary schools

The funny part is - if these schools teach in English, which the Shiv Sena opposes and if they are anti-Hindu, why do the Shiv Sainiks want the right to recommend students for admission?

 

[gubbi]

And if these missionaries protest for these...... is it not unconstitutional on the part of missionary schools to force students from Hindu,Islamic and Sikh communitis to sing hymn and prayers from bible..?

After law is law for everyone..

The issue here is teaching 'hindu' traditions. Now what exactly are these "Hindu" traditions these guys are talking about? IMHO, that's best left to the parents. Introducing more holidays than already present in Indian schools hampers productivity & regular teaching in schools.
Another issue is allowing kids to wear ornaments and makeup! School uniforms are there for a reason. Bangles, makeup, ornaments are a strict no go!
And about hymns, my friends in other schools had to recite hymns from Hindu scriptures, or prayers if they were in schools run by Islamic institutions. Not an issue here.
I do believe that allowing kids to wear ornaments when you have uniforms dents discipline. And that is the beef against these "Hindutva" thugs!