St. Mary’s School withdraw all oppressive rules doing injustice to Hindu students

Panvel: Hindu Janajagruti Samiti started agitation against St. Mary’s School at Sukapur, Panvel for harassment of Hindu students. Some of the parents had approached HJS in this regard and complained about the school. The Samiti had therefore, taken out a march and gave a representation to the management of the school. A representation was also given to the State Education Minister. In this connection, HJS met Shri. Vivek Patil, MLA from Panvel and explained to him all the details when he had suggested to have a meeting with the management of the school and then take a decision.

Accordingly, a meeting was held between the members of HJS and the School management under the chairmanship of Shri. Vivek Patil. In this meeting, the school apologized for injustice done to Hindu students and assured that such things will be stopped. Shri. Bapu Raokar of HJS presented the side of students and parents. He said that the school was ignoring demands although they were fighting for their lawful demand; the School authorities were ignoring their demands. Shri. Vivek Patil pointed out to the management that 90 % of the students are Hindus and the management should understand their feelings.

The School finally accepted demands like to lift the ban on students for applying ‘kumkum’ on forehead and ‘mehandi’ on hands, remove ban on boys applying ’tilak’, earlier the management used to wipe of ’tilak’ applied on their forehead. The school will declare holiday on Ganesh Chaturthi and all holidays declared by the State Government, the ‘raakhis’ tied by the boys on their wrists on the day of ‘Raksha-bandhan’ will not be cut, school was making students say prayers as per Christian religion but henceforth, school will not make it compulsory for students to say prayers as per Christian religion, the school will start with singing of national anthem and oath for the nation. Photo-frames of Jesus Christ displayed in every class will be removed. The school would hold parent-teacher meetings regularly. All the assurance given by the school will be displayed outside the school on a board.