Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jul 12: The principal of a college at Bajpe here has been accused of assaulting a student for coming late to class by a few minutes and abusing him.

Br Hector Pinto, principal of St Joseph's Junior College, Bajpe, allegedly assaulted Siddique, a student of second PU on Friday July 10, after which the latter was admitted to hospital with head and hand injuries. Siddique was discharged on Saturday July 11 night, sources said.

It is said that Siddique, who was fasting on account of Ramadan, had been to Friday prayers at the mosque and was late to class by a few minutes. Angered by this, Br Hector Pinto reportedly called him to his chamber and allegedly banged his head against the wall and the table which caused injuries. Siddique reportedly collapsed and was admitted to a private hospital.

Also, it is alleged that Br Hector told him not to go to the mosque for afternoon prayers and used derogatory words, and that he was harrasing the boy.

Sources said that Siddique comes from a poor family and had lost his father sometime ago.

It is also learnt that Br Hector visited the boy in the hospital along with other staff and apologized to him as well as to his family.

A case has been registered in Bajpe police station.

A meeting of the college management is scheduled to be held on Monday July 13 to discuss the issue, it is gathered.

Allegations denied

Speaking to daijiworld, Br Hector Pinto denied the allegation that the student was told not to attend prayers in the mosque. "We are allowing everyone to pray, especially during Ramadan. We have even changed our time-table to suit their prayer times, and we give them 20 minutes to offer prayers," he said.

"Many Muslim boys go to the mosque to offer prayers in the afternoon. On Thursday, a few boys came late to the class and they were warned. But on Friday, this boy (Siddique) and a few others came late again, while most other boys came on time. It is only a few boys that are creating this problem," he added.

He also denied allegations of harassment and assault. "I have not harassed the boy. He has been caught by teachers now and then doing some mischief or the other. Once he was caught carrying a mobile phone to class, after which he was suspended as per rules. On Friday when he came late to class, I took him to task and smacked his back twice, but it was not assault as alleged. It was nothing serious," he said.

Protest

Meanwhile, Campus Front of India (CFI) protested againt the principal on Saturday in front of St Joseph's Junior College and demanded action in the matter.

CFI district president Irshad Bajpe said, "The principal is curbing the religious freedom of the students by indulging in such behaviour. We must all join hands to provide justice to the student."

CFI in a press release stated that after the protest, the principal called CFI members and other local leaders to his chamber and apologized for the incident and even offered to resign. He also said that he would bear the hospital expenses of the student and tender a public apology, said CFI, after which the protest was withdrawn.