Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Jun 28: Students of Madeleine PU College at Kilpady Mulky along with their parents resorted to flash protest on Thursday June 27, condemning the action of the college management in compulsorily retiring principal of the college Jessie Crasta.
As soon as the college was opened, the students came out of their classes, invited their parents to join them, and began their protest. The students stuck to their stand that they would not return to classes till Jessie Crasta is taken back. They refused to relent till evening.
Speaking on the occasion, president of Parents Association, John Quadros, accused the school managing committee of pressurizing the principal to leave the college under pressure from a retired military officer, whose daughter studies in the college. It is said that this girl had been called by the principal and given some advice, which angered the military officer. Several other parents who participated in the protest also said that Jessie Crasta had worked hard for improving the result of the college. They felt that the managing committee, instead of having regard and respect towards her sincere work, has wrongly asked her to leave her job. They accused the committee of not informing anyone else about her retirement, not arranging any send-off party, etc.
It is learnt that the managing committee, which organized a meeting with parents on Wednesday, had promised not to transfer or retire the principal. But the children who came to the college on Thursday were given to understand that the principal had been sent on compulsory leave. This angered the students, who began protest with the support of their parents.
Mulky police station sub-inspector Sheetal Alagur, who came on the spot, talked to school management and then held meeting in the presence of the children, parents, an important members of the management. The sub-inspector warned that legal action would be taken if protest is undertaken without permission from the police. As the children and parents expressed resentment at this stand, she cut short the meeting. Later, she continued with the meeting and promised to find a solution to the problem in a couple of days, but the protesters did not accept the proposal. The students stuck to their stand of boycotting the classes.
Speaking on the occasion, corporate manager of the college, Cicilia Mendonca, said that Jessie Crasta had been retired as she has crossed 60 years of age. She said that the principal had attained the age of 60 last year but the college had allowed her to continue for a year, and as per government rules, those who reach 60 years of age have to be retired. She asked the children to stop protesting and attend classes.
The parents pointed out that a person in the past was allowed to work by the college till the age of 64 in the past. They said they had admitted children to this college by reposing faith on Jessie Crasta's ability. They wanted her to be retained for at least one year, and pointed out that Jessie was not given an honorable farewell. They said that the strike will continue till she is re-admitted, as insulting a respected personality like Jessie on the basis of one person's complaint is not right.
Under pressure from the police, Cicilia Mendonca talked to head of the managing committee over phone for a few times but it did not bear any fruit. The parents then decided that parents of 250 students of the college would come to the college together on Friday at 8 am to tender a petition demanding reinstatement of Jessie Crasta. They announced that they are prepared to admit their children into other colleges if this demand is not met. They also expressed inclination to submit petitions to the MP, MLA, district administration and the government. The parents warned that boycott of classes and protest will continue if favourable decision is not taken.
College convener Mariola, Mulky convent superior Nanditha, school committee former vice president, Lydia Furtado, and priest of Mulky Divine Call Centre, Abraham D'Souza, were present.