HJS Effect : Kerala School Denigrates Hindu Deities in Magazine, authorities apologise after protest

Kartik Shuklapaksha 4/ 5, Kaliyug Varsha 5115

Thiruvananthapuram  : The Government Higher Secondary School for Girls, Cotton Hill, at Thiruvananthapuram has come out with its annual school magazine titled Sopanam, which has become a topic of protest among Hindus. The magazine has come out with an article containing fun questions that insult Hindu Deities including Lord Shri Krishna and Maha Vishnu. The article that has hurt the religious feelings of Hindus has been approved and printed by the magazine committee of the school.

The ‘fun’ questions are as follows: Who is the first outer space traveller, the answer being Hanuman. First weightlifting champion, Shrikrishna, Govardhan mountain in brackets. The person who threw a CD for the first time, Maha Vishnu; Sudarshana chakra in brackets. The purana purusha who has the qualification to enter all offices from Gramasabha to High command, Narada. First postal delivery person is Hamsa; Nala-Damayanti Couriers in brackets. Expert in Fancy Dress – MahaVishnu; Dashavatara in brackets. Out of the 11 fun questions, 6 questions denigrate Hindu Deities. The school is under Govt. jurisdiction and an expert committee comprising the teachers in the school are the ones who go through and select article for the annual magazine.

The ‘fun’ questions have been prepared by a 9th standard student of the school, but it is clear from the questions that they have not come from the mind of that student. The government has passed strict rules about not publishing such denigrating articles or conducting cultural programmes that hurt religious sentiments after the hand chopping case following a college professor including derogatory questions on the prophet. It is a shock that when such a law is in force that a government school such as Cotton Hill has come out with such a magazine. The teachers who should be instilling respect for religions in the children are themselves encouraging insulting and making fun of Hindu deities in such a derogatory way.

Source: Janmabhoomi Daily Newspaper, Thiruvananthapuram edition, Dated November 6th, 2013.

When the activists of HJS approached the school authorities and apprised them of their mistake, they took note of it very seriously and immediately tendered an apology letter to that effect and also promised never to repeat this mistake again. They have also promised to make the students aware of this mistake during the assembly and also recall all the magazines back and remove this portion immediately.

Memorandum send by activists of HJS Govt. Higher Secondary School for Girls, Cotton Hill

To
The Principal                    
Govt. Higher Secondary School for Girls, Cotton Hill
Vazhuthacaud.P.O
Thiruvananthapuram

Subject: Request to withdraw annual school magazine Sopanam that denigrates Hindu deities.

Dear Madam,

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti is an NGO working for the cause of Hindus and Hindu Dharma all over the world. For details, please see our website www.HinduJagruti.org.

We, at Hindu Janajagruti Samiti have come across an news article in a daily newspaper as well as through various Hindus at Thrivuananthapuram that you have published a very derogatory article in your annual school magazine insulting Hindu deities through some ‘fun questions’.

People from different faiths live in our state of Kerala and it is important to maintain sensitivity towards each other’s religions to live harmoniously. Denigration of religious symbols and icons causes disharmony as it hurts the sentiments of the community being targeted. We know that you will not dare to denigrate Muslim or Christian religious symbols or icons. However, you have deliberately hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus through your act as Hindus are by nature peaceful and tolerant.

In view of the above, we request you to withdraw this school magazine with immediate effect and render an unconditional apology to Hindus for hurting their religious sentiments.

Denigration and hurting religious sentiments is a non-bailable and punishable offence under clause 295 (A) of Indian Penal Code.

Please acknowledge this protest letter and inform the action taken failing which we will be forced to take appropriate legal action against you.

Sincerely,
                                    
Co-ordinator, Hindu Janjagruti Samiti,
www.hindujagruti.org

Apology letter given by the School Authorities when activists of HJS approached them regarding publishing a derogatory article in their school magazine.

Translation of the Apology letter given by the School Authorities when activists of HJS approached them regarding publishing a derogatory article in their school magazine.

Sender

The Principal,
G.G.H.S.S.,
Cotton Hill.

Sir,

Subject : Regarding denigrating Hindu deities through an article in school magazine.

References :

1)      Janmabhumi Daily, November 6, Wednesday, Page 2

2)      Year 2012-13 Annual School Magazine

It has been published in newspapers that on page 72 of the school magazine mentioned in ref 2., an article named ‘kusruthichodyoththarangal’ (fun questions) has some question-answers that are denigrating Hindu deities. In this context, we would like to express our stand to the Editorial Section of these newspapers.

We, the editorial board of the magazine, did not intend to insult any religion or deity through our magazine, but still we unconditionally apologize for publishing the ‘kusruthichodyoththarangal’ (fun questions) article that has hurt the feelings of a section of the people of our society. We ensure you that such a mistake will never be repeated by us in future. We will also address this issue in front of the students during school assembly and express our apology.

Yours faithfully,

Principal,
Govt Higher Secondary School for Girls,
Cotton Hill, Trivandrum.