Minorities Commission to take action against raid on school

Karnataka State Minorities' Commission would take "suitable action" against those who recently 'raided' a school in Bondantila near here allegedly for teaching Urdu and Arabic languages.
Sri Rama Sena (SRS) activists had raided St Thomas Aided Higher Primary School on July 30 alleging that Urdu and Arabic were being 'forcibly' taught to students.
Cases of trespass and rioting were registered against the right-wing activists and several SRS members were arrested.
The Commission which had judicial powers would take action against persons who raided the school for allegedly taking Arabic and Urdu classes, Commission's Chairperson, Balkis Banu said in a release here.

Action would be taken after receiving reports from the Deputy Commissioner and the City Police Commissioner.
Banu who visited the school yesterday had gathered details from the management, teachers and parents.

The school management was teaching Arabic, German and other foreign languages to equip them with a variety of skills.
Arabic was taught since the language would help students who go to the gulf in search of jobs, she said.
The state government had recently conferred judicial powers on the commission, Banu said.
It had the powers of a civil court and can summon people to appear before it.
The commission was aware of the issues faced by schools run by minorities in obtaining recognition certificate.

If 25 per cent of the students in such institutions were from minority communities, they should get minority status, she said.