National

School principal, staff attacked

AHMEDABAD: The Principal and some staff members of the St. Stephen High School in the tribal-dominated Dahod town in eastern Gujarat were physically assaulted by communal elements, after the school authorities asked some girl students to wash off henna (mehendi) from their hands.

According to Fr Cedric Prakash, human rights activist and director of Ahmedabad-based voluntary organisation Prashant, he received a communication from Principal C. Rayappan, which said some students took permission from a teacher, Sister Archana, to apply henna in their hands while coming to school on Monday.

But at the prayer meeting, the school authorities found the girls to have applied “plenty of henna” all over their arms violating the rules of the school and the students were told to wash them off. However, within minutes, a group of outsiders broke into the school premises and attacked the Principal and some staff members. They also desecrated some statues in the school.

The Principal sustained injuries on the head and abdomen. Fr Prakash said the way the outsiders broke into the school within minutes give a clear indication that it was planned move to attack the school. He claimed the attack was planned by some communal outfits, but did not name any organisation. A police complaint was lodged by the Principal but no arrest made so far. The Dahod police confirmed the complaint but refused to divulge any details, claiming that it was under investigation.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu