Author:
Publication: Mysore Medical College
Date: May 1, 2004
URL: http://mysoremedicalcollege.blogspot.com/2004_05_01_mysoremedicalcollege_archive.html
In May 2004, the persitent pressure
of envangelist instructors at the Mysore Medical College drove a
student to attempt suicide in Mysore, India.
Earlier this year third-year nursing
student, Manjula, consumed poison unable to bear harassment by her
instructor to convert to Christianity. Mrs.Velangani, the Principal
of KR Hospital Nurse Training College attempted to forcibly convert
the students of the college and was suspended after angry students
agitated against her.
Manjula was immediately taken to
the emergency ward and after a stomach-wash, she is said to be out
of danger. This extreme step angered her collegemates who in full
attendance, gheraoed the office of the K.R. Hospital Superintendent
and urged him to dismiss Mrs. Velangani on the spot.
Superintendent Mr. B.P. Satyanarayana,
reading the depth of the agitation, tried to console the agitating
students by promising to shift Mrs. Velangani out of the Nursing
College. But students wanted nothing else but her dismissal.
On learning about the angry mood of the students, the authorities
sent Mrs. Velangani on two month's leave immediately.
By then, the agitation took another
turn which seemed to go out of control. The students shouted slogans
that Mrs. Velangani involved in conversion. They alleged that she
discriminated students on caste basis, by not granting leave to Hindu
students, whereas Christian students enjoyed the leave facilities.
Some girl students, who were seen crying incessantly, threatened
to commit suicide if Mrs. Velangani is not removed from service immediately.
Even the Principal of Mysore Medical
College Dr. Chandrashekara Shetty, who arrived later, failed to pacify
the angry students.
The news of alleged conversion bid
spread like wildfire and Bhajrang Dal activists, led by Convenor,
Mr. Premkumar and former Corporator, Mr. Mahadevu, rushed to the
hospital and joined the agitating students in their dharna.
There were noisy and heated arguments
between the Bhajrang Dal activists and hospital authorities over
handling of the situation. Even the majority Christian staff
of other departments of K.R. Hospital were seen taking the side of
the students. They alleged that the management was hand-in-glove
with Mrs. Velangani.
