(14 Sep 2006) : In India a large number Muslim fundamentalists, including students
of the Government Degree College Pulwama, stormed the Church-run Good Shepherd Mission
School at Pulwama in the Kashmir Valley on September 11. They shouted slogans against
Christians and missionaries, smashed the windows, damaged furniture and also demolished
the school boundary wall. The timely intervention by Police saved lives of school-children
and the principal Sr. Veronica.
The school is run by Father Jim Borst, a Mill
Hill Missionary who has been in the Valley since August 1963 and has also served as
the principal of St. Joseph’s School, Baramulla and Burn Hall School, Srinagar, the
most prestigious schools of the Valley. When contacted by telephone, Fr. Jim Borst
said the trouble was started at the instigation of some religious fundamentalist groups
who also run schools of their own in the area.
The Good Shepherd’s Mission
School has always been a thorn in their flesh due to its high quality education. Although
the Islamists alleged that the school is propagating Christianity and forcing students
to convert, the parents refuted the allegations that their children were induced into
conversion and have pledged full support to the school authorities. They have also
urged the law- enforcing authorities to bring the culprits to book and allow the school
to function normally.
Condemning the attack the All Jammu and the Kashmir Catholic
Sabha, in a statement pledged full support to Fr Borst, Sr Veronica and others and
asked the government to provide them full security. A delegation of the Sabha will
leave for Srinagar to meet Chief Minister Gulam Nabi Azad of the Congress Party, who
has promised full support and protection for Fr. Borst. In the meanwhile, the district
administration has ordered the closure of the school till the inquiry is completed.