Vidisha: Right-Wing Groups Allegedly Create Ruckus Outside Missionary School Citing 'Religious Conversion'

A school management spokesperson said that stones were also pelted at the school building during the ruckus which caused damage of at least Rs 10 lakh to the school property.

Representational Image | (File Photo/ Getty Images)

New Delhi: Activists from right-wing organisations allegedly caused a ruckus and indulged in vandalism in the premises of Saint Joseph School in Ganjbasoda. It is a missionary school in a town in Madhya Pradesh's Vidisha district. The right-wing organisations claimed that the school was conducting religious conversion of eight students to Christianity. This charge was denied by the educational institute, police said.

Sub-Divisional Officer of Police (SDOP) Bharat Bhushan Sharma said that they have registered a case of rioting against unidentified persons under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Sharma said that the school property was also damaged. 

A school management spokesperson said that stones were also pelted at the school building during the ruckus which caused damage of at least Rs 10 lakh to the school property. He denied all charges of religious conversion. Eyewitnesses confirmed the claims of the spokesperson saying that stones were pelted towards the school.

Students were also present in the school when the alleged ruckus was being caused. 

MP: A mob, that also included members of some Hindu organisations, vandalised St Joseph School in Ganj Basoda of Vidisha district y'day, claiming religious conversion of students at the school. The students were taking their class 12th CBSE board exam when the incident occurred. pic.twitter.com/b1L8TyMtO2

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2021

Right-Wing Outfits Deny Accusations

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) office-bearer Nilesh Agrawal denied claims of any violence from their side, he told PTI that they had only organised a peaceful protest outside the school and later submitted a memorandum to the local administration. In this memorandum the VHP, along with  Bajrang Dal, the Hindu Jagran Manch accused the school management of converting eight students to Christianity. 

The memorandum also said that the school did not allow its students to wear a  'tilak' on the forehead and wear 'kalawa' (a sacred thread worn by Hindus on the wrist).

It also claimed that the school forced its students to say 'Christian prayers'. 

The Church also called for an investigation. It said that some local YouTube channel is spreading misinformation about the school and its supposed religious conversion. It also sought protection for its staff and teachers.

"Letter circulated in the name of our school that 8 Hindu students have been converted to Christianity. They're not our students. Letter is dated Oct 31, Sunday when no teacher/student comes. I had informed Police yesterday, still, only 2 cops were here," Brother Antony, school manager told ANI.