Bishop's appointment: Parents complain to child rights panel
The parents stated in their complaint, “Children are scared of the Bishop.
Bengaluru: As many as 27 parents whose children study in the Baldwin Group of Institutions have approached the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, asking for removal of a rape accused bishop from the educational society.
The complaint letter addressed to Dr. Kripa Alva, Chairperson, KSCPCR, reads, “... the appointment of Bishop N.L. Karkare, a rape accused, as the Chairman of Baldwin Group of Institutions is very much in contravention of Karnataka State Child Protection Policy 2016 which clearly states safe recruitment and selection guidelines. Applicants for all positions, teaching and non teaching must be screened and not appointed in case of pending criminal charges."
A concerned parent, speaking to Deccan Chronicle on condition of anonymity, said, “How do you appoint such people as heads of educational boards, when they have criminal charges pending against them? What future can we expect for our children, when the school itself is not safe? We have tried to bring this to the management's notice, but they are not even hearing us out.”
The parents stated in their complaint, “Children are scared of the Bishop. They are scared to go to school after seeing the news and internet reports about him being a rape accused. The children are asking questions beyond their age and comprehension. If you do not take swift action, children's psychology and welfare will be vexed.”
The complaint letter, of which DC has a copy, cites the rape case against the bishop in a Maharashtra court, where investigation is pending. Along with their complaint, they have attached a news report dated 2015 which reads, 'Maharashtra police registered IPC Section 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) against Bishop Karkare. A 42-year-old woman charged that he had sexually exploited her for nearly two years promising to secure a job for her in a school.”
Reverend David Nathaniel, Manager of Baldwin Methodist College, refuted these claims, saying, “These are false accusations. The police department has proven that he is not guilty of rape. People want to disturb the Bishop unnecessarily. He is a good administrator."
Dr Kripa Alva chose not to comment as the KSCPCR is investigating the complaint.