New Delhi: A venerable Christian missionary school, St Gerosa School in Mangaluru, found itself embroiled in controversy following allegations of hurting religious sentiments. The school, nestled in the Kankanady area, faced upheaval when accusations arose against one of its teachers for allegedly defaming Hindu sentiments during a lesson on a Rabindranath Tagore poem.A clash of sentimentsMangaluru, known for its communal dynamics, witnessed a rare clash between the Hindu and Christian communities at St Gerosa School. The dispute erupted over the teaching of Tagores poem, Work Is Worship, to seventh-grade students. Hindutva activists, backed by BJP leaders, politicized the matter, accusing the school of religious insensitivity.Unraveling the sequence of eventsThe controversy, which erupted on February 8, gained traction when a students complaint surfaced on a parents WhatsApp group. Allegations surfaced against Sister Prabha, an English teacher at the school, accusing her of making derogatory remarks about Lord Ram and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a class session.Subsequently, the dissemination of audio clips further fanned the flames of discord. The clips purportedly contained statements disparaging the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Narendra Modi, and referencing the Godhra riots incident. These developments triggered a chain reaction of protests and political interventions.How did the matter escalateOn February 10, aggrieved parents voiced their concerns to the school authorities, alleging religious disrespect by Sister Prabha. Amid escalating tensions, political figures, including BJP MLAs Bharath Shetty and Vedavyas Kamath, joined protesters outside the school premises.Tensions peaked when Kamath, amidst slogans and protests, demanded Sister Prabhas immediate dismissal. The situation worsened as the school became a focal point for demonstrations and heated exchanges between authorities and protestors.Fallout and investigationThe events took a toll on Sister Prabha, who was admitted to a hospital following emotional distress. The subsequent investigation led to the dismissal of Sister Prabha, further exacerbating the rift between the school management and the aggrieved parties.In response to the escalating tensions, the Congress government initiated an inquiry, appointing IAS officer Akash Shankar to investigate the matter. However, the incident also prompted threats and backlash against individuals associated with the controversy, including parent Kavitha Gangadhar.Seeking clarificationIn the aftermath, questions lingered regarding the interpretation of the poem and the authenticity of the circulated audio clips. While investigations continue, the incident underscores the delicate balance between freedom of expression and religious sensitivities in educational settings.The controversy at St Gerosa School serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding religious sentiments and education in communal landscapes. As investigations proceed and tensions simmer, the incident underscores the need for dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect among diverse communities.
