Source: news.bbc.co.uk
MUMBAI, INDIA, May 2010: Christian schools in the Indian city of Mumbai have opposed a proposal by civic authorities to promote Hindu culture in classrooms. They argue that plans to introduce what they call “Hindutva culture” into missionary schools is unconstitutional and unfair. A proposal to include Hindu culture in the curriculum of those schools is now being considered by the Maharashtra state government.
The body which runs the 150-odd Christian schools in Mumbai is now preparing to take legal action. Archdiocesan Board of Education (Abe) General Secretary Gregory Lobo told the BBC that his schools “promoted respect for all faiths and there is no need to focus on a particular faith.”
Abe schools receive financial help from the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, which put forward the new proposal during a review of financial help given to these schools. A right-wing Hindu coalition comprising the Shiv Sena party and the Bharatiya Janata Party runs the corporation.
[HPI note: Considering the goals and methods of most missionary activities in India, the statement that “there is no need to focus on a particular faith” is blatantly misleading. Those schools focus heavily on one faith, the Christian faith of the missionaries. Introducing studies about Hindu culture would not promote Hinduism, but rather balance — to some extent — the continuous inculcation of Christian beliefs.]