Author: Our Correspondent
Publication: The Asian Age
Date: October 27, 2002
The principal of Fr Agnel School
in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Fr Saturnino Almeida, is a troubled man. A case
was framed against him and the school under section 153 (a) and 295 (a)
for passing hurtful statements against a religion after Bajrang Dal activists
protested against an essay topic in an examination paper.
Though Fr Almeida has obtained an
anticipatory bail from the Thane court, he is worried about the outcome
of the hearing at the court on Monday. He said he was worried about whether
he would be able to be part of the team of 127 students who would be going
to Mauritius on Tuesday for a study tour. The tour would also be an opportunity
for the students to study the importance of inter-religious understanding.
Ironically, the reason why Fr Almeida might find it difficult to leave
with the team is also related to religion.
The Bajrang Dal took objection to
a question asked for the standard 12, terminal examination, filed the case
against the school authorities. The essay topic, "Hindutva Philosophy and
its Disastrous Effect on Secular India" infuriated the Vishwa Hindu Parishad,
Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Yuva Morcha, who gathered at the Vashi
police station and registered a complaint with them on October 21.
They even demanded the arrest of
the principal Fr. Almeida and the managing director of the institution
Fr. Orlando. Divisional Commisioner of Police Sharad Shellar tried to pacify
the mob and even managed to initiate a serioes of dialogues between the
school authorities and the activists.
On the basis of complaints filed
by Mr Kiran Vyaware, leader of the Bajrang Dal, the police had initiated
inquiry into the issue.
On Monday, the school authorities
sought anticipatory bail from the Thane district court and was granted
the same.
"Since the issue is sub judice,
I do not wish to make any comment," said Fr. Almeida, when contacted. He
said that the topic was not picked up from any textbook but was asked as
a general essay topic.
However, the school authorities
did not wish to reveal the name of the school teacher who had prepared
the question paper. Instead, Fr. Almeida preferred to take the moral responsibility
in this case as he was the head of the institution.
Inspector V.B. Satpute of the Vashi
police station said that based on the received complaint, the names of
Fr. Almeida and Fr. Orlando were provided as witnesses. The main accused
would be the person who had set the question paper. He said that the person
responsible was presently not in Mumbai and would be questioned as soon
as possible.
An FIR is being prepared and a copy
of the original question paper has been submitted to the police by the
school authorities.
