Christian Principal and School attacked in Gujarat
Prashant . The Province Office for Integral Social Development of
the Gujarat Jesuits
. A Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace
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Christian Principal and School attacked in Gujarat
Minorities in Gujarat continue to be intimidated, harassed and attacked!
The latest incident took place yesterday (July 6th) in the well known St.
Stephen's High School (founded in 1932) in Dahod, Eastern Gujarat.
According to Sr. Archana, (one of the teachers of the school), some girls had
requested that they be permitted to come to school with henna (mehndi) on their
arms. The school authorities agreed to it. However, last morning some of the
girls who were leading the school assembly prayers had plenty of henna all over
their arms. They were requested to wash it off as the school rules do not
permit this kind of make-up.
In a matter of moments, in an apparently pre-planned move, a group of outsiders
broke into the school accompanied by the media. These miscreants wanted to
know why the school authorities had asked the girls to wash off their henna.
They were not ready to listen to any kind of reason, and in their fury they
also beat up the Principal of the school, Fr. C. Rayappan svd who received head
and abdomen injuries. On the way out, the mob also threw stones at the Grotto
of Our Lady breaking the glass and desecrating the statue.
Later on, together with a group of well-wishers, Fr. Rayappan, filed an FIR
with the DSP of Dahod who promised immediate action.
No arrests have been made so far; however, according to sources, the attack was
carried out by a right-wing Hindu outfit of the town.
As a mark of protest, the management and staff of St. Stephen's School wore
black bands today (July 7th) to school and did not hold any classes for the
students.
Fr. Cedric Prakash sj
Director
Date: 07/07/2009
