Diocese of Mangalore calls for fair investigation regarding St. Gerosa School Incident
Mangalore : The Diocese of Mangalore has voiced its concern and appealed for justice following the distressing events that unfolded at St. Gerosa English Higher Primary School on February 10, 2024. It said that the incident stemmed from baseless allegations against an English Teacher at the school.
The issue began with the circulation of two audio messages on social media, accusing the English Teacher of making derogatory remarks about Hindu religious practices and political leaders during a 7th std class. Responding to this, four parents approached the Headmistress, who promised a thorough investigation to uncover the truth. Despite assurances of an inquiry, a group of individuals gathered outside the school premises at 12:30 p.m. The Headmistress assured them of a fair investigation. Later that day, the school's sisters wrote to the district administration, denouncing the false allegations and requesting protection from potential unrest.
The Diocese mentions in its statement that the situation escalated on February 12, when Local MLA Vedavyas Kamath led a protest demanding an immediate apology and the suspension of the English Teacher. He also harassed female staff, creating a hostile environment.
In the evening, as students were leaving, the MLA encouraged them to chant religious verses and slogans against the teacher. Under pressure, the school management suspended the teacher pending an inquiry to maintain order and ensure student safety.
The Diocese mentions in its statement that the English Teacher was teaching Rabindranath Tagore's poem "Work is Worship" and was explaining lines from the poem in the English syllabus of the 7th Standard. The teacher did not make any disparaging remarks as claimed on social media.
The Diocese of Mangalore has urged the Minority Department officials, Child Welfare Department, and Women's Commission to conduct a fair inquiry into the incident. They seek to investigate the mistreatment of the women teachers and children by the MLA. The Diocese also calls for a probe into the false allegations against the English Teacher and advocates for the protection of her dignity and the interests of minorities, women, and children.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
