A CASE OF RELIGIOUS CONVERSION HAS SURFACED IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL

A CASE OF RELIGIOUS CONVERSION HAS SURFACED IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL

17-SEP-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

SASARAM-------------------------James English School in Indrapuri, a district school, is currently in the news due to serious allegations. It is being alleged that under the guise of education, poor children were forced to adopt the beliefs of a particular religion. Given the seriousness of the matter, the District Child Welfare Committee has written to several officials, including the Union Home Secretary and the District Magistrate, demanding strict action against the school management.

This revelation reportedly came to light during the District Child Welfare Committee's recent visit to James English School in Indrapuri. The investigation report states that, upon a written request from the Child Welfare Police Officer and Station House Officer, Indrapuri, the Child Welfare Committee, Rohtas, decided to investigate the residential arrangements at James English School, Sikriya. On September 8th, along with Principal Probation Officer Prashant Singh Bisht, Committee Chairman Santosh Kumar, members Dadan Pandey and Gayatri Kumari, along with Indrapuri Station House Officer Madhuri Kumari, began the investigation of the James Tailoring Institute located on the school campus. It was reported that a teenage girl from Gayaji had gone missing on August 27th. The teenager's mother filed an FIR at the Indrapuri police station on August 30th. In this case, the police recovered the girl, recorded her statement, and handed her over to her family.

According to the report, when the Child Welfare Committee team arrived at the James Institute, the institute's in-charge, Subhadra, was teaching sewing to 7-8 girls. During the inspection, the girls' enrollment and daily attendance registers were not found. It was reported that the institution had been operating since 2003. A satisfactory answer was not given as to the basis for enrollment. The names of 15 girls were listed on a single page, providing the only evidence. No information was provided about whether the institution was authorized or inspected by any authority. The institute's director was reported to be out. Meanwhile, a girl was heard crying loudly outside the room, and two men were carrying her away. Upon asking, a staff member stated that she was experiencing stomach pains. Then, they explained that she was always doing this. The Indrapuri police station in-charge and committee member, Gayatri Kumari, went upstairs. She calmed the girl down and came down. Subsequently, she was beaten. She was rescued and sent for treatment in critical condition. However, the doctor refused to treat her. She was then brought back to the committee. Upon speaking with the women's counselor, she revealed that four men had raped her. It was stated that after a medical examination, the girl was sent to the Kaimur Girls' Home. The report states that on September 9th, under the supervision of committee member Gayatri Kumari, the District Child Protection Unit, Child Helpline, and the Indrapuri Police Station in-charge rescued seven girls from there and sent them to the girls' home. The team's report includes statements from several girls, including a column filled in the enrollment application form. Based on this, the committee determined that religious conversions were taking place there. The committee has recommended the District Magistrate to form a larger investigation committee and conduct an investigation.