September 03, 2023
NCPCR’s Appeal for Cultural Inclusivity: Addressing Intolerance in Christian Missionary Schools
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recently issued a compassionate appeal to schools across the country. The appeal urges schools not to punish students who choose to wear Rakhi and tilak, a cultural practice deeply rooted in Hindu traditions. While this initiative promotes cultural inclusivity, it also highlights concerns about reported incidents of intolerance against Hindu as Hindu students being harassed for practicing their customs in some Christian missionary schools.
The Significance of Rakhi and Tilak
Rakhi and tilak are integral components of Hindu culture and traditions. Raksha Bandhan, celebrated with great fervor, signifies the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters tie a sacred thread, known as Rakhi, on their brothers’ wrists, symbolizing their love and protection. Tilak, on the other hand, involves applying a sacred mark on the forehead, signifying blessings and cultural identity.
The Appeal for Inclusivity
On August 30, 2023, the NCPCR’s issued an appeal to all schools and asked them to not punish students who wear Rakhi and tilak in schools which is rooted in the understanding that these cultural practices hold immense significance for many Indian families and children. It recognizes that expressing one’s cultural identity through Rakhi and tilak is a natural and cherished practice, and students should not face disciplinary action for doing so.
Addressing Intolerance in Christian Missionary Schools
While it is important to emphasize that Christian missionary schools exhibit intolerance, there have been instances reported where students wearing Rakhi or having other Hindu identity faced discrimination or punitive measures.
Here is list of some incident where Hindu students being harassed for practicing their customs.
| S No. | Date | Incidents ₰ Description | Reason |
| 1.) | 30 Aug 2023 | Uttar Pradesh: On August 28, 2023, at the Holy Family Convent School located in Sangrampur village on Bhamora Road in Aonla, Bareilly, the school staff refused to celebrate Rakshabandhan to the students and made them loose the rakhis tied on their wrists. | Rakhi / Rakshabandhan |
| 2.) | 16 August, 2023 | Madhya Pradesh: Director Maria and teacher Vishwajeet Jaiswal locked 10 students in a room and beat them with sticks for raising slogans of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ along with ‘Vande Mataram’ at Mother Mary Higher Secondary School, Nagda, Ujjain. | Slogan of Jai Shri Ram and Vande Mataram |
| 3.) | August 4, 2023 | Uttar Pradesh: A case has been registered against the principal of a government college in Aligarh district for cutting the Kalawa and removing the tilak of the students. On August 1, 2023, Principal Rameshwar Dayal beat the children in the class room and got the Kalawa removed with his hands. and from the forehead. | Tilak / Kalava |
| 4.) | Jul 21, 2023 | Uttar Pradesh (Meerut): The girl student of class 11 at Subhash Inter College in Modipuram punished her and forced to withdraw admission for wearing ‘Tripund’ tilak, Rudraksha during Shravan at school. | Tilak / Rudraksha |
| 5.) | July 15, 2023 | Rajasthan (Bhilwara): A student of St. Anselm School in Bhilwara Kishan Mali was physically punished by the school staff class for put a tilak on his forehead. | Tilak |
| 6.) | July 13, 2023 | Jharkhand: A 10th-grade student Usha Kumari Commit suicide July 10th, 2023 after being subjected to humiliation, slapping, and expulsion from St. Xavier’s School for wearing a bindi on her forehead. She was publicly shamed by a teacher during the school assembly. Despite immediately removing the bindi upon seeing the teacher, she was slapped twice in front of everyone. | Bindi and harassment |
| 7.) | 21 May, 2023 | Delhi: On May 16, 2023, at Vanasthali Public School, Phase 3, Mayur Vihar, Hindu children accused school teacher Anoop Rawat of cutting Kalawa tied on his hand. Accused and the cut arts were thrown in the dustbin. The students allege that on May 19, 2023, another teacher Ravi also tore the poster of Lord Ram in the class and later got the students who chanted ‘Jai Shri Ram’ suspended. | Kalava |
| 8.) | 16 Dec 2022 | Haryana: In DAV Public School in Yamunanagar, teachers threatened to throw out both the students from the school if they came wearing tilak. And said that if he comes wearing tilak, they will pour acid on his face. | Tilak |
| 9.) | 23 August 2022 | Andhra Pradesh (Kurnool): The administration and teachers of Mount Carmel High School have been harassing Hindu students studying in the school for applying tilak/bindi on their foreheads and girls for wearing bangles. Applying tilak and wearing bangles in school is considered an offence. The school”s management has been forcing Christian beliefs on non-Christian students. School forcing them to read the Bible and other Christian religious prayers during the morning, and evening hours. | Tilak / Bindi / Bangles |
| 10.) | October 1, 2019 | Meghalaya (Shillong): The National Institute of Technology (NIT), Meghalaya has decided to remove an idol of Hindu God Ganesha from the institute’s campus. The idol was installed at the campus of the Shillong-based institution on 23 September, 2023. The JSU was opposed to the installation of a religious idol. | Hindu Gods |
| 11.) | January 13, 2017 | Tamil Nadu (Rameswaram): The authorities of St. Joseph school had suspended two boys for having sandalwood paste (Vibhooti) on their forhead. | Vibhooti |
| 12.) | October 10,2015 | Tamil Nadu (Chennai): A Christian school named Doveton Girl’ & Boys’ Hr. Sec. School in Vepery, Chennai, imposed a fine of Rs. 500 on a class II Student for having faded Mehendi traces on his palms. | Mehendi |
The NCPCR’s appeal aligns with its mission to protect the rights of all children. It asserts that every child has the right to practice their cultural and religious beliefs without fear of punishment or discrimination.
PROTEST FOR HINDU HUMAN RIGHTS
Conclusion
The NCPCR’s appeal to schools not to punish students for wearing Rakhi and tilak is a commendable step toward promoting cultural inclusivity and religious tolerance. It is crucial to recognize that India’s strength lies in its rich diversity, and every child should be encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage. While addressing incidents of intolerance in some Christian missionary schools is essential, it is equally important to emphasize that the goal is not to vilify any particular educational institution but rather to create an atmosphere of respect, understanding, and inclusivity for all students, regardless of their cultural or religious backgrounds.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE: @THE SUPREME RIGHTS