Christian body protest derecognition of Mumbai school

The Catholic-Christian Secular Forum (CSF) has strongly protested the Maharashtra government's decision to derecognize St Mary's School in Mazgaon, Mumbai.

CSF submitted a memorandum to the chief minister and education minister seeking their intervention in striking down the order which it said was "a clear sign of vindictiveness with malicious intentions".

"The order is in scant disregard for thousands students and parents who are affected. If the authorities are serious, they should take cognizance of similar glaring and even more grave violations by other schools in the vicinity and elsewhere," CSF said in a statement.

The education department had on Tuesday derecognized the school for alleged collection of capitation fees, insufficient infrastructure and other violations of state norms. More than 1,000 students reportedly study in the Jesuit-run institution.

The principal of the school Fr Baptist Pinto earlier said the order was on "frivolous and flimsy grounds".

"The order has been deliberately passed close to re-opening to jeopardize a recognized, private and minority educational institution of repute", he said.

The parent-teacher association (PTA) has strongly supported the principal and school, who are filing an appeal against the order.

"The reasons given do not call for such serious action, particularly in case of a 78 year old Jesuit run institution, that has all through its history rendered yeoman service to all, irrespective of any distinction," CSF noted.

The Christian advocacy group said it will be forced to call for closure of, at least 125 Catholic schools, as a sign of solidarity, if a solution was not found.

The state minorities commission as well expressed protest on the order to derecognize the school.

"We find the decision to be unjust. Most private schools levy capitation fees. We will be sending a notice to the deputy director, the school and the PTA. The school is of repute, and we will see if it merited de-recognition," said vice-chairman of the minorities commission Abraham Mathai.