No one is going to utter a word now. #secularism.
New Delhi, Dec 15: An administrative officer of prestigious St Stephen’s College has accused its principal Reverend Valson Thampu of pressurising him to convert to Christianity, says media report.
According to the report published in an English daily, the administrative officer, Subha Kumar Das, had written a letter to the principal asking him not to torture him mentally for converting to Christianity. After which, Das was suspended for sending the missive, report says.
In the letter, Das said, “I was induced for conversion by you (principal) in beginning of the year 2014 which I had taken serious objection to and pleaded with you not to force me for conversion. Your wife came to my residence and told my wife in evening hour not to disclose this matter as it may tarnish your image.”
“In month of October 2014, you tried to offer me a mobile phone and told me that same mobile was given to you by previous Bishop which I did not accept and strongly objected and requested you not to force for conversion as I strongly believe in my Hindu religion and form of worship,” he further wrote.
According to media report, the letter also alleged that the principal threatened Das of dire consequences for not abiding by his diktat of converting into Christianity. In the letter Das mentioned that principal told him how Mess Steward and Estate Officer were replaced with Christians. As a result of constant mental torture.
On the other hand, principal Valson Thampu has denied any such charges. “Anybody can make allegations but that doesn’t mean they are all true.”
Meanwhile, the issue is likely to snowball into major controversy as the matter will be taken up in next Governing Body meeting of the college.
Reacting to same, DU’s Administrative Officers’ Association has demanded a meeting with principal. “Earlier the principal agreed to have a meeting on Monday but now it has been postponed. We will be meeting him on Wednesday or Friday. We want to speak to him first why he took such drastic step (of suspending Das),” said Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, member of the association.
'St Stephen’s principal asked staffer to convert' - NewsroomPost