Singing of bhajans in Bantwal school opposed

Singing of bhajans in Bantwal school opposed

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 09, 2018: After right-wing  protests against a ‘Christianity and Islam’ chapter in a school textbook, the Campus Front of India (CFI), has opposedforced recital of bhajanas and doing suryanamaskar at Shree Panchadurga School at Uli Village in Bantwal taluk.

Vazeer, a leader of CFI, in a memorandum to the block education officer of Bantwal, has alleged that from the past several years, the education institution which has students from all faiths, has been forcing students to recite bhajanas and do suryanamaskar. Bhajanas are held every Thursday, and suryanamaskar twice a week. Vazeer maintained that even the children’s parents have opposed it, yet they are compelled by the school staff to take part in these activities.


He said such an imposition is forcing children to discontinue from the school, and go elsewhere.


However, the school head said both singing bhajans and doing suryanamaskar are not compulsory for any child. “These activities are done before the usual class hours, and suryanamaskar is done under the guidance of physical education teachers. Those who are interested to perform them are free to do so, while the rest are free to stay away from it. The school has not forced any student to perform these activities,” said school headmaster Jaganath.


DDPI Y Shivaramaiah said the education department will find out whether the allegations are true or not. “If there are any violations, we will take necessary action, so that singing bhajans and performing suryanamaskar are not forced on anyone, and hurt their religious sentiments.”