Bangalore, India – Catholic bishops in southern India have strongly denounced a recent violent attack on a Catholic school by a radical Hindu group. The incident took place on April 16 in Telangana state when a mob of activists assaulted a priest and vandalized the Mother Teresa English Medium School. The attack reportedly occurred after school administrators disciplined students for not wearing the school uniform and instead donning Hindu religious clothing.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) issued a statement condemning the assault, describing it as a reprehensible act of violence against an educational institution and its staff. Father Jaison Joseph, the school’s principal, recounted the chaos and violence to reporters, stating that he was physically assaulted by a growing mob of over 500 individuals.
Disturbing visuals showed the priest being coerced into chanting religious slogans while the mob vandalized the school building and attacked teachers and staff. The attackers also targeted a statue of St. Teresa of Calcutta, damaging the school’s security office. The school has a diverse student body, with approximately 80% Hindu, 10% Christian, and 10% Muslim students.
Bishop Prince Antony Panengaden of the Adilabad Diocese of the Syro-Malabar Church described the attack as religiously motivated, calling on authorities to ensure the safety of the school staff and take appropriate action against the perpetrators. Police initially filed a criminal case against the Catholic school and its management, accusing them of inciting religious discord. However, following widespread protests and media coverage, nine individuals were arrested in connection with the attack.
Christian groups, including the Telangana State Federation of Churches, condemned the violence and called for unity and prayer in response to the disturbing incident. The CBCI also emphasized the importance of resisting misinformation and divisive rhetoric, urging all communities to stand together against attempts to exploit religious diversity for personal gain.
In a joint statement, the CBCI spokesperson, Father Robinson Rodrigues, urged citizens of all faiths to unite in promoting peace, mutual respect, and the collective prosperity of the nation. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding religious freedom and tolerance in a diverse society.