By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent,
Kochi: The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council stated that it was not against Muslim girls wearing head-scarves in schools. Following religious dressing along with uniform should not be prevented, said Bishop Dr Joshua Mar Ignatios, president of the KCBC, in a press conference in Kochi.
Schools should have a system going along with religious followings, he said while responding to a query on the recent head-scarf row in the state. When asked if the policy would be implemented in all Catholic educational institutions in Kerala, the Bishop said that it would be considered if the Muslim community as a whole made such a demand. In the present cases, certain individuals have made such a demand. The matter shall be considered only as personal in such circumstances, he said. However, he added that uniforms were intended to see all students – be they Hindu, Muslim or Christian – alike in the school.
The KCBC also condemned the statements of the Chief Minister and others that destroy the communal harmony prevailing in the state. Such statements are for selfish interests. Politics is a part of the Catholic Church but it does not use to indulge in the activities of political parties. That the Church is interfering in politics is baseless propaganda. It is not involved in the merger of the two Kerala Congresses, it added.
Reverend Dr Stephen Alathara, spokesman of the KCBC, also was present at the press conference.