Karnataka: Bagalkot school shut over Christmas celebrations

BAGALKOT: The education department shut a private school at Ilkal in Bagalkot district for allegedly hosting a Christmas party.
On December 25, prayers were held at Saint Paul’s Higher Primary School followed by Christmas celebrations. The programme was disrupted by right-wing activists who alleged the pastor, who led the prayers, was indulging in conversion activities.
The Hungund block education officer (BEO) has now allowed the school to reopen following requests from the management.
On December 25, pastor Umesh Nayak held a prayer meet at the school, which was attended by some people. The school management allowed him to hold the prayer even though it usually rents the space out for local events.
Jackson D Marck, a member of the school management, told TOI: “It was for a Christmas celebration with not more than 30 people in at- tendance. There were no conversion activities.”
The right-wing group had charged the pastor with converting schoolchildren and their parents to Christianity.
BEO Mahesh Bellinavar said there is no evidence of conversion, but the organisers served meat. “I ordered closure of the school to maintain peace following a rally by the right-wing group. Now, I have directed them to resume school activities,” he said.
When asked about the attendees, the BEO said school- children or their parents were not present at the meet.
Pradeep Amarannanavar, convener of a pro-Hindu outfit, had complained to tahsildar K Rathna that the school was trying to convert people. “The management invited students and parents to school on Christmas Day and served them meat and wine, and also gave them a copy of ‘Satya Veda’ (Kannada translation of the Bible). This is nothing but an attempt at converting Hindus into Christianity by allurement and force,” he said.