Bengaluru missionary school's 'Bible reading' diktat irks right-wing group

Clarence High School, a Christian minority institution founded in 1914 by the British Missionaries, Alfred and Walter Redwood, is said to have made Bible reading compulsory for every student admitted to the institution.

Bengaluru: A century-old missionary school in Bengaluru's Richards Town is being questioned by the right-wing groups who allege that the school was asking its students to compulsorily carry and read a Bible.

Clarence High School, a Christian minority institution founded in 1914 by the British Missionaries, Alfred and Walter Redwood, is said to have made Bible reading compulsory for every student admitted to the institution. "This is a violation of Article 25 of the Constitution," alleged Mohan Gowda, a spokesman for the Hindu Janajagruti Committee.

"It is stated in the publication of this school that Bible education is mandatory for other children. The imposition of a religious scripture on non-Christian students is against religious belief. It is also said to be a violation of the Supreme Court order. About this complaint was also given to the Minister of Education," he said adding that he will go to the court in the next few days.

In the school's admission application form for class 11, there is a parents declaration section that reads: "You affirm that your child will attend all classes including Morning Assembly Scripture Class and Clubs for his/her own moral and spiritual welfare and will not object to carrying the Bible and Hymn Book during his/her stay at Clarence High School."

Speaking to the media, Clarence High School Principal George Mathew said: On the behalf of the trust and the board of management of Clarence High School, we want to tell you that we are aware that some people in society are upset with one of the policies of our school. We are a peace-loving and law-abiding school. We have consulted with our advocates in this matter and we will follow their advice in keeping with the law of the land. It is our affirmation that we will not break the law of the land. We are here for 100 years and we will continue to be a society building school."

Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh told ETV Bharat over the phone: "A school has made the Bible mandatory. I will discuss this with our officials and would take the next step." Despite repeated attempts for a comment from them, the school board did not respond. Karnataka has been embroiled in communal issues raked up in the last few months. The ongoing Hijab row snowballed into a major controversy so much so that the case reached the Supreme Court which is yet to decide over it.