Sister Prabha, a teacher at St Gerosa English Higher Primary School in Mangaluru, Karnataka, finds herself at the centre of a storm following allegations of making disrespectful comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bhagwan Ram during a Class 7 lesson on February 8. The incident has stirred widespread attention and sparked controversy surrounding the teacher’s conduct.
Reports suggest that Sister Prabha allegedly used inappropriate language while discussing these sensitive topics, triggering outrage among certain parents and Hindu activists after several students informed their families about the incident.
In the aftermath of the incident, protests erupted outside the school premises, with demands for action against Sister Prabha gaining momentum.
Furthermore, a parent named Sharath Kumar filed a formal complaint with the Mangalore South police station, prompting an inquiry by the block education officer into the matter.
Responding to the escalating situation, the Karnataka government has assigned a senior IAS officer from the education department to investigate the incident at St Gerosa. Dakshina Kannada district’s minister in charge, Dinesh Gundu Rao, announced that Akash Shankar, additional education department commissioner in Kalaburagi, would lead the inquiry. Sister Prabha faced suspension following the circulation of three voice notes containing allegations against her.
Legal proceedings have been initiated against MLAs, corporators, and a Bajrang Dal leader under various sections of the Indian Penal Code in connection with the protests.
Recently, MLA Bharath Shetty raised questions regarding why the police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against him despite his absence from the protest site against the teacher. Shetty highlighted some complaints raised by parents, alleging that Sister Prabha made derogatory remarks such as questioning whether “Sri Ram will come to life if his stone sculpture is garlanded with flowers” and blaming “Prime Minister Modi for the deaths in Godhra”. Shetty accused the Congress government of stifling nationalist voices.
Allegations against Sister Prabha include claims that she described the Mahabharat and Ramayana as “imaginary” and purportedly sought to instill “anti-Hindu” sentiments among students.
Sister Anitha defended Sister Prabha’s teaching approach, stating that she provided her perspective while teaching a poem, emphasising that “temples, churches, and mosques are only buildings” and that “God dwells in human hearts”. She argued against violence in the name of religion.
In response to the unfolding controversy, senior Congress leader and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) vice-president Ivan D’Souza announced the party’s intention to submit a memorandum to the chief minister and Assembly Speaker, urging disciplinary action against Vedavyas Kamath and MLA Y Bharat Shetty for allegedly making statements to incite communal discord regarding the school issue.
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