Bengaluru school lifts Bible undertaking, Bible row prevented

In a major turnaround concerning the ongoing Bible row in Karnataka, the Clarence High School on Thursday lifted the undertaking of the parents to allow their wards to carry Bible to classes.

In a major turnaround concerning the ongoing Bible row in Karnataka. The Clarence High School on Thursday lifted the undertaking of the parents to allow their wards to carry Bible to classes. The reversal came days after the school came under fire for carrying Bible compulsory for students. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had taken cognisance of the matter and had asked the Bengaluru Urban Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate to initiate a probe against the school for imposing Christian religious views on children.

It also directed the official to submit the report of the enquiry to the child rights commission within seven days. “The school management has made it very clear. Because it is Christian school and 75 to 90 percent of the students are Christians, they were asked to carry Bibles in the past. Now the scenario has changed. Now we have to be sensitive to other sentiments, and it is not compulsory at all,” Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Bengaluru, Peter Machado told reporters addressing a press conference here.

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The school does not have any problem with Christian students not appearing for examination of the Bible, but he does not know what’s the problem with it, the archbishop said. On the allegations of conversions in the school, he said no students of other religions have converted in our school. Some fringe groups are creating a divide in society. Many Hindus and Muslims are studying in our schools.” “Also, the conversion bogey has come from so many years. Whatever Christians do it is called conversion. It is a hidden agenda,” he added.

Archbishop Machado also asked the government to probe. And find out how many people have been converted in school in the last 100 years. The Principal of Clarence School, Jerry George, who was also present at the press conference said students. From other religions take admission here with a full understanding that it is a Christian school. Though moral education imparted in the school has been appreciated by the parents.