Social Media lambasts alleged religious discrimination at Carmel School

Port Blair : The elite Carmel School here is in the news again, for wrong reason. The social media is all agog with the alleged hurting of religious sentiments of students belonging to majority Hindu community by allegedly restraining them from celebrating the pious festival of Raksha Bandhan on 18th August.

According to a large number of posts in WhatsApp, the Carmel School authorities not only disallowed celebration of Raksha Bandhan in the school premises but also removed the Rakhis from the wrists of all such students who had come to school wearing them.  Not only that, even the bags of students were searched for Rakhis and gifts.

On being contacted, the Principal of the school, Sister Reshma flatly denied the allegation as completely baseless.  “In fact, the school management had gone to the extent of organizing Raksha Bandhan celebration for the pre-primary students,” she said pooh-poohing the allegation of religious discrimination. “Ours  is a multi-religious institution where students from all religions, communities and castes are imparted education without hurting anyone’s sentiments,” said Sister Reshma.

Alluding dubious or romantic motive behind celebration of Raksha Bandhan, a symbol of pure sister-brother love, the Principal said that she had announced a day before the festival that students, except pre-primary, must not bring Rakhis or gifts to school as that would have spoiled and disturbed the academic atmosphere.  “In spite of the warning, some senior students still brought Rakhis and ‘expensive’ gifts.  On search, we found gifts like big packets of chocolates, key rings etc.  Some girl students demand big amounts of money in return for tying Rakhis to boys which is  something uncalled for. Moreover, we have not forced removal of Rakhis from the wrist of any student, ” said the Principal to buttress her argument.

The parents, on the other hand, are not convinced. “Leave alone Rakhis, the school authorities don’t allow even the Raksha Sootra (Sacred thread) that we tie to the wrists of our sons and daughters after performing pooja at home.  All this has been happening time and again.  Our religious sentiments are hurt but we are compelled to stick with the school for the sake of education and career of our children,” lamented a number of parents this correspondent spoke to.  Even some of the students also affirmed the alleged discrimination.

Meanwhile, the PBMC Chairperson, Mrs. Sheela Singh has taken a strong exception to the sordid episode.  She has assured to take up the matter at an appropriate level to demand an enquiry.  The UT Commission for the Protection of Child Right has also assured to investigate the matter.

Source : The Echo of India