Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Feb 15: The delegations of like-minded citizen organizations visited St Gerosa School on Wednesday February 14 and held discussions with the management of the school about the commotion that transpired under the leadership of MLA Vedavyas Kamath recently. The delegation obtained details of the incident and expressed moral support to the teachers and management committee of the school. The delegation unanimously condemned the one-sided and biased action of malicious intent by MLAs Vedavyas Kamath and Bharath Shetty.

The actions came to light while discussing how fanatic elements turned the matter in the English poem ‘Work and Worship’ by Rabindranath Tagore to mislead the parents.

An unidentified woman has accused the teacher of insulting religion based on a voice recording. Four parents who initially came with the complaint were requested to wait for a week to conduct investigations, to which they agreed. However, suddenly an unknown group arrived in front of the school and started protests, urging for the suspension of the teacher. When explained to the delegation, the conspiracy behind the developments under the leadership of MLAs became apparent.

The intention of alleging on the basis of the voice recording should be made clear. Do the children of the woman really study in St Gerosa School? First of all, the parents should have complained to the parents' association and conducted an internal inquiry. The rule was discarded, and the students and parents became tools in the hands of the MLA and fanatical elements.

The MLA should have mediated when there was an allegation against the school in his constituency and ensured that action was taken as per the rules. However, the MLAs arrived like representatives of Bajrang Dal and Sangh Parivar. The MLAs spoke insultingly about the Catholic priests, ignoring their constitutional responsibilities, which is a crime. Threats to the school through the DDPI and by themselves can be seen. The situation led to the punishment of the accused teacher without inquiry. The students were used to create a rift between religions, which is an insult to the civilization of Mangaluru.

The actions of the MLAs were extremely dangerous. The committee urges the registration of criminal cases against them.

The inquiry against the teacher should be transparent. The intention of the woman who made the allegation through the voice recording should be investigated. A systematic conspiracy appears behind allegations through students and the media, which should be investigated. The delegation urges legal action. The action of the DDPI caused the case to lose its path. The DDPI should be excluded from the investigations, and action should be taken against him, urges the delegation.

The developments can increase differences between communities. The truth should be made known to the public. The government should form a fact-finding committee consisting of retired IAS, IPS, and judges, and the matter should be presented in front of the people, requests the delegation.

The actions of the MLAs are objectionable as they undermine the system. Such actions are being repeated by them. The speaker should take action against them. The delegation will be complaining to Speaker UT Khader, urging them to conduct classes about their responsibilities.

Munir Katipalla, social workers MG Hegde, Manula Nayak, advocate Yashwant Maroli, Dinesh Hegde Ulipadi, Congress leaders PV Mohan, former mayor K Ashraf, former deputy mayor Mohammed Kunjathbail, senior labour leader Balakrishna Shetty, CPIM's Sunil Kumar Bajal, Janavadi Mahila Sanghatane's Jayanti B Shetty, Bharati Bolar, Stany Alvares, Eric Lobo, Anil Lobo, Samarth Bhat, Yogish Nayak, Nelson Roche, DYFI district leader K Imthiaz, Santhosh Bajal, Yogita, retired professors Dr Shivarama Shetty, and Dr Vasanth Kumar were present.