DSS demands transfer of headmistress for allegedly harassing Dalits

Udupi, Feb 21: Dalit organisations in Udupi have demanded the immediate transfer of Sister Regina, the Christian headmistress of Mount Rosary High School at Santhekatte-Kallianpur near here for allegedly torturing a physical education teacher.

Addressing presspersons here, Ramesh Kotian, convener of district unit of the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, alleged that Sister Regina had harassed Nagaraj, the physical education teacher of the school. She had taken charge as headmistress of the school about six months ago and during this period, she has also insulted and discriminated against Dalit students, he said.

Mr. Nagaraj, who attempted suicide on February 9, allegedly because of the harassment, was recovering at a private hospital here. He had worked as a physical education teacher in the school for 14 years and had also received the district-level ‘Best Teacher Award’ in 2012-13. The school had bagged many awards in sports events at the State and national levels under his coaching, Mr. Kotian said.

Parents of the students and members of the Karnataka Dalit Sangharsha Samiti and other organisations had staged a demonstration in front of the school on February 11 demanding action on the matter. But so far, the school management has not taken any action on the issue.

“The headmistress is still continuing in her job. Instead, there is a conspiracy to dismiss Nagaraj from the school,” Mr. Kotian alleged. The organisations plan to hold a dharna in front of the school on Thursday against the school’s “anti-Dalit policy”, he said.

The samiti had brought the matter to the notice of the Minister of State for Fisheries, Youth Services and Sports, Pramod Madhwaraj, who asked them to approach the Additional Superintendent of Police to resolve the matter through negotiation. But this has not worked out and the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) has already suggested to the management to transfer the headmistress, Mr. Kotian said.

Vishwanath Petri, president of district unit of Samata Sainik Dal, and Ramesh Shetty, president of the Ashrayadata Auto Union, were among those present at the press meet.