Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Aug 5: Coming out in strong defence of Sri Rama Sene (SRS) activists who recently raided St Thomas Aided Higher Primary School alleging that it 'forcibly' taught Arabic to students, the right-wing outfit's state president Mahesh Kumar Koppa on Friday August 5 claimed that the school management had filed a 'false' case against the activists and that there was a 'political motive' behind it. He also warned of protests in front of all Catholic churches in the district if the case was not withdrawn.
Addressing a press meet here, Mahesh Koppa said, "A few parents along with locals went to the school to request the headmaster not to teach Arabic to their children. The headmaster agreed to stop the classes. But within a few hours, case was filed against SRS activists.
"There is a political motive behind this, and it is being done through the Catholic church. This is a government aided school, so how can they teach Arabic here? Do they have permission to do so?
"The CDPO should register a case and also conduct an enquiry against the school. Also, grants to the school should be stopped. The government should interfere in this matter, if not Sri Rama Sene will hold a state-level protest. Even though the issue is out in the media, the education department is still silent," he said.
"Sri Rama Sene did not indulge in any goondagiri (rowdyism) in the school. Parents were also there. We were there to request the management not to hold Arabic classes. We have a democratic right to do this. But false case has been lodged against our activists. The district aministration and the police should hold a proper probe into the incident.
"If the case against our activists is not withdrawn, we will hold protests in front of all Catholic churches," he warned.
When it was pointed out that the school also taught German, French and Karate classes, and that according to the headmaster, the Arabic classes were taught on the parents' request, Koppa said, "This is a government aided school. There is no permission from the government to hold such classes. The person teaching Arabic in the school is from outside the institution. Students from 1st to 7th standards are being taught Arabic during school hours. If they want, let them also teach Tulu literature, Ramayana and Mahabharata."
Speaking on illegal cattle trafficking, he said, "Police are filing only petty cases against cattle thieves but Goonda Act is being invoked against those who stop such trafficking. Sri Rama Sene will hold a state-level campaign on this issue during its conclave in Chikkamagaluru on September 10."
He also said that New Life missionaries in Dalit colonies of rural areas in Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan have been distributing hand-outs 'provoking Hindus with the intention of conversion'. "Four people have been arrested in Koppa after we filed a case, and out of them two are from Mangaluru," he said.
State chief secretary of SRS Praveen Valke said, "Teaching Arabic in St Thomas School is an attempt to convert our girls. Our youths have been able to get jobs without learning Arabic. At least by learning French you will get jobs, but what will you get by learning Arabic? It is nothing but an attempt at conversion."