BENGALURU
Two students from a private school in Devanahalli, Bengaluru Rural district, have approached the Karnataka High Court alleging that the school ignored the national anthem, shortened the Dasara vacation, and created an unpleasant environment for students.
The petition, filed by Anil P. Menasinkai, a resident of Sahakari Nagar, on behalf of his children studying in Classes 10 and 12, came up before a single-judge bench headed by Justice Suraj Govindaraj. The bench issued notices to the school, the Child Rights Protection Commission, the Bengaluru Rural District Superintendent of Police, the Vishwanathapura Police Station, and the school’s director. The case has been adjourned to November 26.
During the hearing, Justice Govindaraj observed that the issue seemed to stem from a matter of ego. “The father appears to be instilling a wrong tradition in his children. Today it’s the national anthem, tomorrow it could be something else. How can a school function according to one parent’s wishes? If he disagrees, he can move his children to another school,” the judge remarked, urging the petitioner’s counsel to advise their client appropriately.
The petitioner’s counsel countered that the issue was serious, claiming that the school made the national anthem mandatory only after objections were raised by students. He alleged that the school had earlier curtailed the Dasara vacation, violated children’s rights, and even threatened to expel students who complained to authorities.
The counsel further requested that the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) conduct a detailed probe into the allegations and ensure protection for the students who raised the complaints.
The bench, taking note of the claims, sought responses from the concerned authorities and the school management before the next hearing.
