Christian hostel in Chennai, state team deny forced conversion claims made by Tamil Nadu child rights body
India Today
The CSI Monahan school management, which was accused of forcibly converting students to Christianity, has denied charges raised by the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TNCPCR) team against them.
The CSI Monahan school management, which was accused of forcibly converting students to Christianity, has denied charges raised by the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (TNCPCR) team against them.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had earlier written a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, Irai Anbu, seeking an investigation and to rescue students from the hostel of CSI Monahan School, alleging that students were forcibly converted to Christianity and that the school’s infrastructure was in a bad state.
However, S Samuel, the director of hostels, CSI Diocese, has denied these charges.
“We are completely denying these allegations. These are planned to destroy the reputation of churches in South India. We don’t even ask our students to go to Church or join us in prayers,” stated Samuel, who also claimed that officially no complaints have been received from any students, parents or any commission.
A team from the TN government, led by IAS officer Karthika, visited the hostel on Saturday and interacted with the students on the matter.
An official from the team stated that a few lapses regarding management were observed, but nothing about forced religious conversion.
“There were a few lapses like we saw water stagnation and such. Students complained that too much homework was given and we instructed the hostel staff to see to it but nothing on religious conversion. We interacted with the students and also randomly with parents on the phone. We didn’t observe anything about religious conversion. Most of these students are from villages and have come to the hostel through local church recommendations”, stated the official, who also claimed that a detailed report would be handed over to the government.
