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Congress flays vandalism in Loreto Convent

Special Correspondent

Issue finds echo in Vidhan Parishad

LUCKNOW: Vandalism by members of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) at Loreto Convent School here on Sunday figured in the Vidhan Parishad on Tuesday with the Congress condemning the Yuva Morcha's action.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Ranjit Singh Judeo of the Congress said the BJYM had no objection when the seawater turned sweet in Mumbai, or Lord Ganesha started drinking milk. He said the BJYM suddenly woke up to the issue that had taken place on September 6, 2006, four days before it was highlighted.

Mr Judeo said the activists ransacked the school premises, desecrated the chapel and indulged in all kinds of vandalism. "At that time only a handful of teachers and students were present in the school."

Stating that Loreto Convent had a 130-year-old history and was one of the country's prestigious institutions, the Congress MLC said being a minority institution the school had certain rules. These included reading the Holy Bible, but that was optional, Mr Judeo added.

He said that on September 6, Father Sebastian and Lobo Mandal visited the school to share their spiritual experiences with the students. He denied that Lobo Mandal had assumed a "hideous form" or that some students had fainted. "Not a single parent had complained to the school authorities," he emphasised.

The Congress member dubbed the vandalism as "goondagardi" and said it should be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

Shyam Nandan Singh of BJP said the party's state president had already condemned the BJYM actions, but the actual issue was being ignored. The real issue, according to him, was Lobo Mandal's claim that he could become a miracle healer after invoking the spirit of Jesus Christ in his body. Mr. Singh lamented that the actual issue was being swept under the carpet. He said the girls had fainted on seeing the scene.

Raghav Ram Mishra (BJP) wanted to know whether such activities should be allowed in schools. He was joined by the Leader of the Opposition, Naipal Singh, who favoured a ban on such activities in schools.

Sheema Rizvi, also of the BJP, criticised the Government for glossing over the fact that the girls had fainted during the session. In his reply, the Leader of the House, Ahmed Hasan, said the Government had instituted an inquiry with the district administration taking necessary action. He said an FIR was lodged at the Hazratganj police station and three persons had been arrested.

The Chairman of the House, Sukhram Singh Yadav, rejected Mr Judeo's notice and disallowed the adjournment.

Governor slams school

UNI reports: Uttar Pradesh Governor T V Rajeswar has taken strong exception to the reported occult session in the school and said religion should not be mixed with such practices. He made this observation before a delegation of Missionary educational institutions which met him on Tuesday.

The Governor, at the same time, condemned the vandalism in the school premises.

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