Author Topic: HYDERABAD: Students Launch Attack on Montfort College (Read 857 times)

Matthew · « **on:** December 20, 2010, 08:39:27 AM »

Students launch attack on Indian college

Published Date: December 17, 2010

Students in Hyderabad violently attacked a Catholic college they accused of refusing to let them practice their religion.

Protesters damaged furniture and smashed windows at Little Flower Junior College in the capital of Andhra Pradesh state last Thursday.

The say the Montfort Brothers, who run college, had refused them permission to wear a black clothing, which has religious significance. The college denies the charge.

Men preparing for a pilgrimage to a popular temple in southern Indian state Kerala wear black clothes and grow beards as a sign of their abstention from worldly pleasures.

The students allegedly contacted student wing of pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which organized a protest outside the college.

Student leaders spoke to local media saying the college management was “harsh” on earlier occasions too and did not allow students to practice their religion freely.

“We are not allowed to wear rings with pictures of deities and Muslim students are not allowed to wear skull caps,” a student leader told reporters.

College management says that some students who were denied permission to appear in an exam because of their poor attendance in classes, engineered the trouble with the help of outsiders.

Students who take pilgrimage may inform the college and they are allowed to wear the clothes they wis, College officials said.

Brother Anthony Reddy, acting principal, said the issue had nothing to do with dress and religious freedom.

“The students had a very low attendance of 20 percent and were denied permission write exams. We will forward their request to the Board of Intermediate Education, which will now decide” on the cases, he said.

College principal Brother Franky Noronha was away on his annual retreat.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission yesterday asked the Board of Intermediate Education to report it by January 4 about the incident. The Rights Commission’s order is based on a petition.

Source: ucanews.com

Matthew · « **Reply #1 on:** December 20, 2010, 08:39:59 AM »

Catholic Priest in remote Madhya Pradesh Village Assaulted

NEW DELHI, Dec. 17, 2010, 11:50 Hrs:(CBCI News/Fr.Thomas Puthenthayil)

Fr.Thomas Chirattavayalil of Satna Diocese posted at Odagady, a remote misson station in the diocese of Satna in Madhya Pradesh was attacked at midnight, December 16, by a group of armed men.

Fr. Chirattavayalil said “someone knocked the door while I was sleeping. I came and opened the door and found a group of masked men armed with weapons assault me. They tried to kill me, but after they injured my head, I ran out of the Parish House. They chased me around the church building and continued to beat me.

One of them commanded me not to shout. But then on I started to cry in a low voice asking for help. Hearing my cry the driver, the cook and the SHG animator tried to rush out to come and help me. But the miscreants had closed their doors from outside before had started the attack. None of them could help me when I was between death and life.I then, ran to the house of Mr.Januna, the Panchayath member, around half a kilometer through the bush field. It was very cold and the time was around 2 am.

Father Thomas has sustained two deep wounds on the head, and has injuries on the shoulder and other parts of the body. However he is out of danger. An FIR is registered in the local police station at Burgama in Singrauli District in Madhya Pradesh.

The mission station was earlier famous for social work among the poor tribal people, until the last mob attack in the year 2004. Sr. Rani Maria FCC had worked in the area and had done commendable service for the uplift of the poor people in the area when she was posted at Odagady.

Fr.Thomas Chirattavayalil, ordained a priest 16 years ago, hails from the diocese of Palai, Kottayam district of Kerala. He was formerly posted as manager at Pushpa higher secondary school Tikamgarh.

Bishop Anthony Chirayath of Sagar has condemned the attack on Fr.Thomas. He said the brutal attack on the Catholic priests and nuns who have dedicated their lives to serve the poor in remote villages, is a shame for the state. He has called for stringent action on the culprints and to ensure the safety and protection of all those who are dedicated to the service of the poor.

Author Topic: HYDERABAD: Students Launch Attack on Montfort College (Read 857 times)

Matthew

HYDERABAD: Students Launch Attack on Montfort College

Matthew

HYDERABAD: Students Launch Attack on Montfort College