Nine Hindu students allege harassment at convent school

DINDIGUL: Nine students who were on a fast for Sabarimala pilgrimage were alleged to have been harassed by a minorities-run school here two days ago. They were not allowed to sit for their half-early examinations, as they had refused to cut their hair till the end of their 40-day fast, according to a complaint lodged by the parents of an affected student.

Despite repeated requests from parents and students, the school authorities had issued an order that the students should cut their hair before entering the examination hall. With no option left, some students did cut the hair and sat for the examinations, it is said.

With cadres of Hindu Munnani taking up the issue to the knowledge of police and revenue officials, the police hurriedly convened a meeting of parents of affected students, headmaster and teachers of the school in the presence of Deputy Superintendent of Police, S. Durai, and Revenue Divisional Officer, A. Pechiammal, on Friday.

A press release issued by the Police Department on Friday evening stated that the police convened a peace meeting participated by parents of affected students, headmaster Vincent Amal Raj, hostel warden S.M. John Kennedy, Assistant Headmaster Arul Das, class teacher I. Leoni, and physical training teacher V. Gnana Oli.

The meeting decided that no action would be initiated against students who lodged a complaint about the incident. Teachers should not behave in such a way that would affect religious sentiments of students. Parents should meet the headmaster directly for all disputes. Parents-Teachers meeting should be convened periodically and revenue officials must be invited as special observers. Both the parties have agreed to abide by these decisions. The complainant, a IX standard student, alleged that some teachers also ordered him to remove the `tulsi seed maala.’ "I refused to remove the `maala,’ but had to cut my hair to write exams."

http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/16/stories/2006121614790300.htm