The issue of Christian conversions in a missionary-run aided school in Zaheerabad has triggered an uproar in the Sangareddy District of Telangana. The National Child Rights Commission took cognizance of the matter and issued a notice to the Sangareddy District Collector on 26 September seeking an Action Taken Report (ATR) within five working days.
A video of a student of a Methodist Rural School run by Christian missionaries in Zaheerabad has gone viral on social media in which the minor boy says that students are being taken to church every Sunday and are being taught and sung Christian songs. When asked if he goes home on Sundays, he replies, “Though we wish to go home on Sundays, they do not allow us to go. They take us to the church on Sundays by telling us that they are taking us to the temple.” The details given by the student in the video are most awe-inspiring.
After the video went viral, the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), the Hyderabad-based NGO filed a complaint with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), seeking FIR against the management of the Methodist Rural High School and cancellation of the recognition of the school.
In its complaint, LRPF alleged that the innocent minor children were being brainwashed and subjected to Christian conversion without their knowledge and conscience. LRPF has termed it as suppression of the Right to Freedom of Religion of the minor Children guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution of India.
The complaint also reads that the Methodist Rural High School, Zaheerabad is a private aided school run by Christian Missionaries and receiving financial aid from the Government of Telangana. Hence, it is also a violation of Article 28(3) of the Constitution of India which clearly states that “No person attending any educational institution recognised by the State or receiving aid out of State funds shall be required to take part in any religious instruction that may be imparted in such institution or to attend any religious worship that may be conducted in such institution or in any premises attached thereto unless such person or, if such person is a minor, his guardian has given his consent thereto Cultural and Educational Rights”.
Responding to the complaint lodged by the LRPF, the National Child Rights Commission issued a notice under section u/s l3(1)(i) of the CPCR Act, 2005 to the Sangareddy District Collector. Arise Bharat could access the copy of the notice issued by NCPCR to the Sangareddy District Collector in which it is said that there is a prima facie contravention of relevant provisions under the Indian Constitution, Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code. The Commission further sought the district collector to initiate inquiry into the matter and submit the Action Taken Report within five days of the receipt of the notice.
The primary purpose of Christian missionary schools is to instill Christian ideas, beliefs, and teachings in their pupils and families while simultaneously demoralising Hindus at every opportunity. Institutions like Methodist Rural School establish an environment that persuades children to embrace Christian attitudes and behaviour without their knowledge. This approach is potential to drive Hindu students to deviate from their basic convictions and religious rituals.
Arise Bharat 
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