Mangaluru: Gerosa School teacher suspended over alleged derogatory remarks on Hindu Gods
Mangaluru: Sister Prabha, a teacher at Gerosa School in Mangaluru, has been suspended by the school board following allegations of making derogatory remarks about Hindu gods during a classroom session. The school's management board took this decision in response to public outrage, and the Education Department is set to conduct an internal investigation into the incident.
The controversy began on February 8 when a complaint was lodged at the Mangaluru South Police Station, accusing Sister Prabha of insulting the Ayodhya Sri Ram Mandir and Lord Rama while teaching the subject 'Work is Worship' at Prabha School.
DK Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan visited the school on Monday evening to conduct an inquiry into the matter. Education officers and police officials were present during the investigation.
Amid growing tensions, MLA Vedavyasa Kamath from the South Constituency of Mangaluru visited the school on Monday, demanding appropriate legal action against the teacher. Under his leadership, hundreds of parents and activists attempted to lay siege to the school. However, the police intervened, preventing MLA Kamath and parents from approaching the school gate.
ALSO READ: Nejaru murder case: Chargesheet filed in murder of air hostess and her family
In response to the incident, the headmistress of the school issued a statement, announcing Sister Prabha's suspension and assuring parents that another teacher would be appointed in her place. The headmistress emphasized the school's commitment to constitutional principles, religious tolerance, and equal respect for all beliefs. She acknowledged the temporary mistrust created by the incident and called for cooperation to rebuild trust for the better future of the students.
The decision to suspend Sister Prabha has been made to ensure transparency in the ongoing investigation by district authorities. The school expects cooperation from parents and stakeholders throughout the inquiry process, she added.
St. Gerosa School, with a history of 60 years, has not witnessed such an incident before, and the administration is keen on maintaining a positive educational environment. She added while appealing parents for collective efforts to work towards the students' brighter future.
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.
