Some parents said that what is the harm in allowing ‘Raksha Bandhan’. (Representative)
Mangaluru:
The Press Trust of India reported that at a Christian missionary school in Mangaluru, a dispute broke out over the forcible removal of bands tied on the wrists of some students and throwing them in the dustbin.
Following the alleged incident, some parents of students along with some Hindu activists reached the Infant Mary English Medium High School in Katipalla on Friday to take action. Police also reached there to calm the situation.
Angry parents wanted to know what was wrong in allowing ‘Raksha Bandhan’ when the school had no objection on ‘Friendship Day’.
Santosh Lobo, head of the organization ‘Vandaniya’, told the parents that they were not aware of the development, while he said that they have always welcomed ‘Raksha Bandhan’ as it is a good tradition.
“Raksha Bandhan is a good tradition. Hindu brothers used to tie bands on my wrists. I am new here. I have just come two months back. For six years, I used to tie rakhis on my wrists in Kasaragod (in Kerala). We used to tie rakhis on my wrists. Were happy. I request you not to misunderstand the situation.”
Mr. Lobo told the parents and workers that Raksha Bandhan can be celebrated in his institution and no one can object to it. He said, ‘I will call those children and tell them that there is no problem in tying Rakhi.
“Without bringing it to my notice, an incident happened. At 9 pm (on Thursday) a police officer came and told me that such an incident had happened. I was surprised because we are a harmonious society and we can’t tolerate hurting the religious. The sentiments of other religions, and we should not encourage it,” Mr. Lobo said.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)