Madras High Court Judge amends his own Judgment after pressure from the Christian politicians, officialdom and clergy! Is India secular?

Madras High Court Judge amends his own Judgment after pressure from the Christian politicians, officialdom and clergy! Is India secular?

13-08-2019 – Christian institutions were highly unsafe for the future of their children: Justice S. Vaidyanathan accepts request to remove observations about Christian missionaries. The Madras High Court on Tuesday 20-08-2019, agreed to remove a contentious paragraph from one of its judgments since it was related to accusations faced by Christian missionaries of indulging in forcible religious conversions and supposed “general feeling” among parents, especially of girl children, that co-educational Christian institutions were highly unsafe for the future of their children[1]. Justice S. Vaidyanathan agreed to delete the relevant paragraph from his verdict in a case filed by a Madras Christian College (MCC) professor accused of sexually harassing girls during a study tour to Karnataka in January this year. The decision to delete was taken after the MCC counsel made a representation in open court on 20-08-2019, Tuesday and urged the court to remove the observations[2].

What the para 32 of the judgment said: The controversial paragraph read: “Before parting with the judgment, this Court feels it appropriate to point out that Christian missionaries are always on the source of attack in one way or the other and in the present era, there are several accusations against them for indulging in compulsory conversion of people of other religions into Christianity. Now, there is a general feeling amongst the parents of students, especially female students that co-educational study in Christian institutions is highly unsafe for the future of their children and though they impart good education, the preach of morality will be a million dollar question. As long as a religion is practised in streets in lieu of its worship places, like Temple, Mosque, Church, etc., such devastation, as in the present case, does occur and will be mushrooming.”

21-08-2019 – the Judge deleted the para no.32: Since the judge had dismissed the writ petition filed by the faculty challenging a show cause notice issued to him by the college management, the counsel said the subsequent observations added by the judge after dismissing the case were unnecessary and that they may not remain part of the judgment. The judge readily accepted the request. He, however, retained other observations wherein he had said that several women-centric enactments had been misused to teach a lesson to men in strained relationships. “This is the right time to think of suitable amendments in those laws, in order to safeguard the interest of the innocent,” the judge had said and directed the High Court Registry to mark a copy of his judgment to the Union Ministry of Law and Justice. The judge said[3], “When the court posed a question as to whether the court can remove Paragraph no.32 at this stage in the absence of any review petition – as the court becomes functuous officio after signing of the order – it was replied that there was no request for reviewing the entire order and a particular observation, which was general in nature was sought to be removed. Such removal will not in any way alter the findings/decisions of the court and therefore, there was no bar for this court to remove the Paragraph no.32, which was inapplicable to the present case on hand, especially when those points were not at all urged, canvassed, advanced or discussed by either of the counsel at the time of argument in the open court,” adding, “In view of the above submission and considering the fact that the general observation in Paragraph no.32 has been made by this court after the result portion, which will not at any cost affect efindings/substance/contents of the order, the said Paragraph no. 32 of the order is hereby deleted“, the judge added[4].

How is that Christian and Communists could sing the same song immediately?: Justice Vaidyanathan had said parents felt that Christian co-education institutions were highly unsafe for the future of girls. Days after Justice S. Vaidyanathan of the Madras High Court commented in an order that parents felt that Christian co-education institutions were highly unsafe for the future of girls, several groups, including the Tamil Nadu Bishops’ Council (TNBC), the Tamil Nadu Latin Bishops’ Council (TNLBC), the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) and the Indian Christian Association of Tamil Nadu expressed concern over his remarks. What this AIDWA was doing when so many girl students of the MCC complained, news appeared in the media and they protested in the college? Were they not conscious about the chastity of the girls, standards of the college or the values of the Christians etc?

21-08-2019, the Christians and the Communists threaten and 21-08-2019, the Judge bends and mends!: The judge made the comments while dealing with a sexual harassment case involving a professor of the Madras Christian College. In a statement issued on 21-08-2019, Monday, TNBC and TNLBC termed two of Justice Vaidyanathan’s observations — that there were “several accusations against Christians for indulging in compulsory conversion of people of other religions into Christianity”; and that there was a “general feeling among the parents of female students that co-educational studies in Christian institutions is highly unsafe for the future of their children” — regrettable and unwarranted[5]. “First of all, the case is not in any way connected with the question of religious conversion. Therefore, the said observation on religious conversion was unwarranted,” said Rev. Dr. Antony Pappusamy, Archbishop of Madurai and president of TNBC and TNLBC[6]. Regarding the observation about female students being unsafe, Dr. Pappusamy said, “We wonder what the material and data placed before the honourable judge were, that led him to render such a finding. As such, from a cursory reading of the factual matrix in that particular case, we do not find any institutional material warranting such an observation.” He also again endorsed a copy to Ministry of Law and Justice for making necessary amendments[7]. This has created controversy among the legal circles[8].

Valentina, State president, AIDWA: In a statement, S. Valentina, State president, AIDWA, said that when the words from a judge could become a law, the baseless accusations of the judge could have a serious impact on the welfare of minorities in the current socio-political climate. “A judge could have a particular view on a subject or could adhere to a specific political ideology. But when the judge is delivering justice, the judge should be impartial and wear the glasses of the Indian Constitution,” she said. AIDWA urged that the comments be withdrawn. Can anybody ask S. Valentina , State president, AIDWA, as to whether she made such statement against the Judge as a woman or Christian or otherwise? Where was Valentine when those Christian professors were harassing the girls, touching their breasts and barging into their rooms? Is it OK for Valentine all such sexual acts?

The Indian Christian Association of Tamil Nadu said it was deeply hurt: The Indian Christian Association of Tamil Nadu said it was deeply hurt by Justice S. Vaidyanathan’s remarks in the sexual harassment case involving the Madras Christian College.“The sweeping statement that there is a general feeling among parents that co-educational study in Christian institutions is highly unsafe for the future of their children, especially female students, is based on conjectures and surmises, and the comments [should] be expunged from the judgment,” said Dr. Ravi Santosham, president, Indian Christian Association. “The judge’s statement about compulsory conversions is baseless and totally irrelevant to the merits of the case.”

Catholic bishops’ forum in Tamil Nadu, The National Council of Churches in India, etc cry foul[9]: Christian leaders said the judge’s comments were painful but they welcomed the court’s decision not to interfere with the decision of the college, which British Protestant missionaries established in 1837. “The remarks the judge made in the order are highly disappointing,” said Father L. Sahayaraj, deputy secretary of the Catholic bishops’ forum in Tamil Nadu. The comments could “damage the image of the Church and the reputation of its education intuitions,” the priest told ucanews.com. The National Council of Churches in India, a forum of Protestant and Orthodox churches in India, said the comments were hurtful[10]. “We are hurt and sorry for such remarks in the order,” said general secretary Asir Ebenezer. “Christians work with commitment and diligence. Unfortunately, we are blamed and our places portrayed as unsafe. It really makes us sad.” The Tamil Nadu Catholic Bishops’ Council in an official statement termed the observations “very unfortunate.” It said conversion or the safety of Christian schools were not the issues before the court. It was one “relating to sexual harassment by a professor and the college has taken necessary action against him without any excuse.” The council also said Christian educational institutions have “produced stalwarts” in India, including Hindus and Muslims. Prabhakar Tirkey, national president of the Rashtriya Isai Mahasang (National Federation of Christians), said the court seems to have forgotten that “not a single Christian has been convicted” for violating conversion laws in the history of India. He noted that Christian missionaries introduced English education some five centuries ago but when the British left India in 1947, the Christian population was less than 3 percent, and “now it is 2.3 percent.”

Political and Minority bogey pressures: The MDMK chief, V. Gopalsamy, reportedly converted to Christianity, as being proclaimed by the Christian evangelist and propagandist C. Lazarasus, immediately came to question the judgment and his video has become viral.  Then on 19-08-2019, Geoge Kurian, Vice Chairman of National Commission for Minorities writes an open letter questioning the judgment.  On 21-08-2019, the Christians and the Communists threaten and 21-08-2019, the Judge bends and mends. Thus, wthin days, they could achieve what they wanted or decided. How is that then, eve rything is controlled by RSS, BJP and so on? Who rules India really? How much of Christian interference and how it works and all, have been proved again through this incidence.

All rapists, pedophiles and other sexual charge sheeters are good: One can recall how the Sha Bano judgment was rescinded by bring another Act, just to placate Muslims and promote Muslim vote bank. So you can forget all the crimes committed by the Christians – the murder of Abhaya, rape of nun by Mulakal, rape of children i.e, Christian pedophiles, sexual harassment, and every thing. All have become good souls, only the affected have been unholy, satanic and dangerous.  The charged, accused and other sinned Cardinal, bishops, pastors and clergy have been redeemed.  An none could question the Christians whatever crime they committed. The Bishops, Churches and above all Vatican are supreme, the Indian judges, courts etc., are nothing. They obey only Holy Sea, Spirit, God etc., not the Indian Constitution, Acts and Rules made there-under.

© Vedaprakash

23-08-2019.

[1] The Hindu, Madras High Court deletes contentious paragraph on Christian missionaries from verdict, Mohamed Imranullah S. CHENNAI, AUGUST 20, 2019 16:03 IST, UPDATED: AUGUST 21, 2019 01:16 IST.

[2] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/madras-hc-deletes-remarks-on-christian-co-ed-institutions/article29181327.ece

[3] Deccan Chronicle, Chennai: Judge deletes observations against Christian institutions, J STALIN, Published Aug 21, 2019, 2:32 am IST; Updated Aug 21, 2019, 2:32 am IST

[4] https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/210819/chennai-judge-deletes-observations-against-christian-institutions.html

[5] The Hindu, Bishops’ Council, AIDWA concerned over judge’s remark on Christian-run institutions, STAFF REPORTER. CHENNAI, AUGUST 20, 2019 00:48 IST; UPDATED: AUGUST 20, 2019 00:48 IST

[6] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/bishops-council-aidwa-concerned-over-judges-remark-on-christian-run-institutions/article29164589.ece

[7] Barandbench, Madras High Court withdraws comments on Christian Educational Institutions, Meera Emmanuel August 20 2019.

[8] https://barandbench.com/madras-high-court-withdraws-comment-on-christian-run-institutions/

[9] United Christian news, Christian leaders upset by Indian judge’s comments, reporter, New Delhi , India , August 20, 2019.

[10] https://www.ucanews.com/news/christian-leaders-upset-by-indian-judges-comments/85910

Why Christian schools exceed the limits of education, resort to psychological methods and indulge in sexual harassments, molestations and rapes?

Why Christian schools exceed the limits of education, resort to psychological methods and indulge in sexual harassments, molestations and rapes?

Why more and more Christian religious heads involve in sexual crimes?: The Christian indulgences in sexual harassments, molestations and even rapes have been increasing and become order of the day, not only throughout the world, but also in India. Every day, news is coming about the involvement of Christian cardinal, bishop, pastor, priest and so on in the violations of Acts and rules of the land. Initially, they have been adjusting and compromising within the church and hence suppressing many such incidences do not come out and get published in the media. But, later, slowly, the violations exceeded limits and such contraventions warranted legal action, adjudication and persecution. Though, the church-related crimes have been increasing, the responsible religious heads have been trying to suppress, instead of bringing discipline in the church. The Jaipur sexual harassment issue has not been drawn attention of the media, though, much hue and cry has been made out for other sexual crimes. In Tamil media, virtually, there has not been no whisper is made about the issue.

Georgish Britto surrendered or tried to ran away hiding?: A Catholic priest has been sent to a jail in Rajasthan for allegedly sending an obscene message to a teenage girl student of his school. In one of the messages, the accused wrote – ‘Your husband is always waiting for you’. Police on April 20, 2018 arrested Father Georgish Britto, vice principal of St Anselm School in Alwar[1]. A case was registered against him two days earlier for texting the 15-year-old ninth grader[2]. He was arrested when he went to “surrender” to the police, Father Edward Oliveira, vicar general of Jaipur diocese, told Matters India on April 23, 2018. The school is managed by the diocese of Jaipur. Alwar is some 160 km northeast of Jaipur, the state capital and the diocesan headquarters. According to other reports, the accused vice principal fled to Dausa in a bus after he came to know about the police case[3]. He called up his friend in Alwar from Dausa. The police traced the call and a team was immediately rushed to Dausa and arrested from Lalsot Road[4]. He was brought to Alwar where he is being interrogated. Sources said that the man was “planning to flee” to his native village via Jaipur. So the catholic priest wanted to “surrender” to the police or “planning to flee” to his native village has to be decided by the God!

Why Georgish Britto was sending obscene messages and videos?: On Wednesday [18-04-2018], there was a huge drama at the school when the girl’s parents accompanied by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal protested against the school’s vice principal. Following this, senior police officials arrived at the school to pacify the protesters[5]. The girl’s family alleged that not only was the vice principal sending their daughter obscene messages and videos from the past few days, but was also forcing her to change her religion[6]. Local political leaders including MLA Banwari Lal Singhal also arrived at the school to take stock of the situation[7]. The protesting group alleged that the vice principal was hiding somewhere in the school and police is deliberately not arresting him[8]. Paul, the principal of the school, however, said that he was unaware about the vice principal’s activities. After the high-octane drama, IPS Anil Beniwal reached the spot and asked the girl’s father to report the matter. “The vice principal has been booked under the POSCO Act and search is on to find him,” Beniwal said. The girl had not complained about the obscene messages earlier, obviously afraid of the school authorities.

Georgish Britto – can he capable of giving counselling to the girl?: According to the Times of India, the administration called in additional forces to keep the situation under control. While the protestors argued with the cops; the parents accused the school of shielding their teacher. Father Oliveira said the girl’s brother beat Father Britto on April 20, 2018. The vicar general said Father Britto, who was ordained hardly a year ago, had counseled the girl’s family to sort out some domestic problems. How can he indulge in such activities of counselling the girl is intriguing. The girl’s elder brother had also studied in the same school. The girl apparently developed some “infatuation” toward the young priest and used her father’s mobile to message him at night after her father went to sleep, the vicar general explained. This type of counter accusation by the Church and clergy expose their ugliest side of sexual harassment that has been going on in many Christian schools. However, the father caught the girl chatting with the priest and complained to the police. So the fact has been more clear than the Christian attempts of suppressimg the facts, in spite of their position, status etc.

In one of the messages, the accused wrote – ‘Your husband is always waiting for you’: This cleararly exposed his non-educative, non-catholic and indiscipline attitude and sexual mindset of the priest. Ironically, this has been the characteristic of the Christian church and clergy in India and the world also. Father Britto was arrested under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act of 2012, a stringent law to end abuses of minors[9]. Father Oliveira said the groups had accused the vice principal of trying to convert the girl and fondling her, besides sending lewd messages[10]. The vicar general said the junior priest had admitted that he only sent the message to the girl but denied other charges. “He admitted what he had done was imprudent and wrong. What has happened is very sad,” he added. The school authorities reportedly claimed that the student had never complained about such messages. But, the school authorities have not been so naïve to leave the girl, particularly, when she complained to the police. Father Oliveira said the accused priest had to remain in jail until May 5, 2018. “We can move for bail only after that,” he added.

The arrogant attitude of the Church: Here, also, evidently, the national media though silent, the few covered the incidence tried to dub the excessive reaction of the so-called “right-wing” groups. Ironically, the letter of Oswald J. Lewis dated 24-04-2018 addressed to “Clergy, Religious & Laity, and Catholic Diocese of Jaipur” has been intriguing and shocking.  “In times of trial, uncertainties, and hardships we have only one source of consolation – Jesus the Good Shepherd. We turn to him in prayer. I hereby request you to fast and pray that we may tide over this situation and that Fr. Georgish Britto may have the strength and courage to bear the cross that the Lord has given him. Do pray for Paul Pulikal too that he be guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit. Thanking you for your understanding of the situation sympathetically and praying for us.” This clearly proves that the Christian heads have not regretted, apologized and repented for the sinful crimes and criminal sins committed, but with theological arrogance, tried to justify such heinous sexual crimes, coolly forgetting the affected girls and women of India.

In secular state, crimes cannot be justified with theology: Crime is a crime and it has to be dealt with according to the law of the land, but, when it is justified, vindicated and defended based on religion, theology and other illegal means, then, there is a reason to believe that the offenders, wrongdoers and criminals are protected. Then, as a pattern is noted in such perpetrated crimes for the last 50 years, it is nothing but organized crime carried on under the guise of religion by a particular group or believers. When the country is secular, the criminals cannot be treated differently, just because, he is a Christian and his theology helps him to escape from crimes committed. But, the Bishop’s letter quoted above clearly proves that the Christians have such extraneous mysticism, illegal spirituality and illegitimate holiness means to cover up crimes of all sorts by divine theology. This is very dangerous in a secular state, democratic polity and civil society and therefore, every citizen of India has right to expose such heinous ideology, atrocious philosophy and dreadful dogma paraded as acceptable religion and bring the criminals to court for prosecution and punishment.

© Vedaprakash

01-05-2018

[1] Matters.India, Catholic priest arrested for sending “sleazy” message to teenager , By Jose Kavi, Published on: 3:00 pm, April 23, 2018 by: mattersindia.com.

[2] http://mattersindia.com/2018/04/catholic-priest-arrested-for-sending-sleazy-message-to-teenager/

[3] ThePinkcityPost, St Anselm’s School: Vice principal arrested for sending obscene messages to girl student, Staff Writer Staff Writer | April 19, 2018 | Last Updated: April 23, 2018 11:13 am

[4] https://www.pinkcitypost.com/st-anselms-school-vice-principal-arrested-for-sending-obscene-messages-to-girl/

[5] NDTV, Vice Principal Booked For Allegedly Sending Obscene Messages To Girl In Rajasthan School, Edited by Richa Taneja (With Inputs From ANI) | Updated: April 19, 2018 12:27 IST.

[6] https://www.ndtv.com/cities/vice-principal-booked-for-allegedly-sending-obscene-messages-to-girl-in-rajasthans-alwar-school-1839734

[7] Dhainik Bhaskar, अलवर: सेंट एंसलम के जूनियर फादर ने 9वीं की छात्रा को भेजा अश्लील मैसेज, लोगों ने पीटा, Bhaskar News | Last Modified – Apr 19, 2018, 03:42 AM IST.

[8] https://www.bhaskar.com/rajasthan/jaipur/news/st-anselm-school-alwar-junior-father-sent-obscene-messages-5854930.html

[9] Khas.Khabar, सेंट एंसलम के वाइस प्रिंसिपल पर पॉक्सो एक्ट में केस दर्ज, अश्लील मैसेज भेजने का आरोप, khaskhabar.com : गुरुवार, 19 अप्रैल 2018 09:22.

[10] https://www.khaskhabar.com/local/rajasthan/alwar-news/news-alwar-st-anselm-school-junior-fr-arrest-in-pocso-act-news-hindi-1-307990-KKN.html