Missionary school in B'luru asks students to carry Bible, forces parents to give declaration that they 'won't object'
According to the reports, the school is forcing parents to give a declaration that they would not object to their wards carrying the holy book to the premises in order to get admission into the school.
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Bengaluru, April 25: A new row of controversy has erupted in Karnataka after, a Bengaluru-based Christian school, made it mandatory for the students to carry a bible to school every day.
According to the reports, the Clarence High School's administration is forcing parents to give a declaration that they would not object to their wards carrying the holy book to the premises in order to get admission into the school.
The photo of the admission form has gone viral on social media. The Christian minority institution, founded in 1914 in its admission application form for Class XI, asks parents to sign a declaration that reads, "You affirm that your child will attend all classes, including Morning Assembly Scripture Class and Clubs for his/her own moral and spiritual welfare and will not object to carry the Bible and hymn book during his/her stay at Clarence High School."
The new directive has drawn reactions from the Hindu Janajagruti Samithi, which has called it a violation of the Karnataka education act. The group alleges that religious education is being imposed on the students against their will.
Hindu Janajagruti Samithi State Spokesperson Mohan Gowda has claimed that the school is forcing non-Christian students to read the Bible. Terming the order a violation of Articles 25 and 30 of the Indian constitution, Gowda reportedly said, "There are also non-Christian students who are studying in the school and are forcefully made to learn Bible. There are also guidelines from Supreme Court that education institutions cannot enforce religious teachings on any students.
Tamil Nadu's Legal Rights Protection Forum has also lodged a complaint with National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and has asked govt orgnisation to take action against Clarence High School.
It should be pointed out that Clarence High School, is registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act bearing FCRA No: 094420138 and receiving funds for Education purposes.