Press report in Khaleej Times (online) on Solidarity Dharna

Hundreds of parents and ex-students rally to protest MNS threats to school

By our correspondent

25 June 2008

MUMBAI -- About 1,500 residents, including parents and ex-students, yesterday held a peaceful demonstration at a suburban school here, protesting last week's hooliganism by activists of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).

The MNS had allegedly threatened the management of Mary Immaculate Girl's High School, Borivali, of dire consequences if it did not agree to admit students recommended by the political party, founded by Raj, the estranged nephew of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray.

The activists had allegedly hurled abuses at the sisters and nuns of the girls' school, accusing them of taking donations and even converting students to Christianity.

In recent years, many goons have been resorting to such pressure tactics, accusing convent schools and other institutions run by minorities of taking donations and indulging in forcible conversions. They do this in a bid to get seats allocated to them, which can then be sold. The Bombay Catholic Sabha (BCS) organised the demonstration at the school yesterday, to prevent the intimidatory tactics of the MNS. A delegation led by Dolphy D'Souza, the BCS president, then met the local deputy commissioner of police, and sought action against the culprits. "We demanded a restraining order on such elements and that our constitutional rights as a minority institution should be protected at all times," said D'Souza.

The MNS has been writing to minority institutions seeking a quota for students selected by it. Institutions run by minorities argue that a majority of students who are admitted to the schools and colleges are 'locals', having been born and brought up in Mumbai.

In cities like Mumbai there is huge demand for seats in Christian missionary schools. And because of their popularity, they are increasingly being targetted by right-wing political parties and extortionists.