Author: Johnson T A
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: September 5, 2008
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/story/357412.html
The BJP Government in Karnataka has issued
notices to government-aided Catholic schools in the state for staying shut
on August 29 to protest the violence against Christians in Orissa. The notices
from the state Education Department have asked schools to explain why they
declared a holiday without prior permission from the Government, in contravention
of the Education Department's rules. The closure disrupted academic process,
it further stated.
Education Minister Vishveswara Hegde Kaggeri,
who had promised action against school closures on Thursday, confirmed the
issuance of the show-cause notices to government-aided Catholic schools for
violation of rules. "As Education Minister, I am concerned about these
violations. Schools must inform the Government and obtain prior permission
to declare a holiday. Most of these schools receive government grants or clearances
to run," Kaggeri stated.
The BJP Government's move has triggered protests
from the Christian community as well as members of the Students Federation
of India, Democratic Youth Federation of India and some NGOs.
The right to protest is guaranteed by the
Constitution and Catholic institutions have done no wrong in protesting against
the incidents in Orissa by staying shut for a day, Christian groups have said
in memoranda presented to the Government authorities in some parts of the
state.
The state Government has indicated that the
notices were issued after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad staged protests over the
school closures. The notices stated that religious and communal issues cannot
be a pretext to declare holidays since this affects the religious sentiments
of others and may cause communal disharmony.
Schools have been asked to provide written
replies on why they stayed closed or face action as per the rules of the Education
Department.
There are nearly 2,000 Catholic schools in
Karnataka. Education Department officials say that the show-cause notices
are meant to caution schools against taking unilateral decisions on declaring
holidays.
