ASIA/INDIA - Hindu radicals want to enter (by force) their children to Catholic schools

Belgaum (Fides Service) - A group of 50 militants of the radical Hindu groups burst into St. Joseph school, of the Sisters of Canossian in Belgaum, to impose on the religious women to enter their two boys in their school, sons of a radical Hindu leader. This happened in Karnataka (south-western India), where the local Church reports to Fides this paradox: the Hindu radicals want to force Catholic schools to educate their children. "It is absurd, because the Hindu extremist groups criticize and fight with every means possible to the Church's involvement in education and social service", comments a source of the local Church to Fides. "It is a sign of schizophrenia on behalf of these radical activists, often responsible for attacks against Christians. But, on the other hand, it is also an implicit recognition of the excellent education provided by our schools", the source underlines.
In St. Joseph School the radical Hindu have threatened and abused religious women, and some teachers, to impose with force the admission of two Hindu students. The timely intervention of the police and of some parents prevented the situation to get out of hand. The group of radicals was led by Basangouda Sidramani, one of the leaders of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who flaunted his membership to the "ruling party" (the BJP government in Karnataka) to impose his will on Sister Thankam, headmistress of the school. The nuns and the faithful of the parish in which the school is located have asked the police to ensure the safety of the institute and the regular holding of classes and school activities in the coming weeks. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 07/07/2011)