Bangalore: Holy Cross Brother Philip Noronha of Moodubelle assaulted in front of TV cameras

By Fr Roshan Lobo
Bellevision Media Network

Banglaore, 26 October 2010: In what can be termed as a gross violation of human rights, Holy Cross Brother and Vice Principal of Holy Cross School Whitefild, Bangalore, was manhandled and assaulted by miscreants belonging to Jaya Karnataka Vedike in front of TV cameras here on Saturday (October 23). The cause of the assault, according to the Vedike, was the alleged ‘misconduct’ of Br Philip with girl students and use of ‘suggestive’ language.

 

 

The incident took place on Saturday when Br Philip was traveling to the city from his school. A group of four followed the bus in a Maruthi van and intercepted the bus near Big Bazar on Old Madras Road. According to Br Philip, they dragged him out of the bus and took him back to the school. On the way they beat him and directed him to tell what they dictated, namely, to admit that he had used the words ‘suck’, ‘dickenson’ and ‘liberty’ in the class.

 

At the school, it is reported that a mob of 300 people and cameramen from several Kannada news channels were waiting for his arrival. As soon as the van reached the school, Br Philip was dragged to his office and beaten by the mob indiscriminately in the full presence of the cameras. To add to his misery, the inspector of Whitefield Police Station, B N Gopalakrishna also assaulted him, again in full view of the cameras, for no visible reasons.

 

Reportedly, the police were reluctant to even file a First Information Report (FIR). It is only when the pressure was brought from higher authorities that the Station finally filed the FIR.

 

Br Philip is now recuperating in Vaidehi Hospital, Whitefild and is still under shock. He has suffered several bruises on his face and is finding it extremely difficult to talk and eat.

 

Parents involved

It is learnt that the conspiracy behind the whole incident has been hatched by the parents of two 10th standard students of the School. One of them, in fact, runs a school nearby and yet has admitted his daughter to Holy Cross School.

 

Br Philip in his FIR has mentioned the name of M. G. Reddy who is the parent of one of the students. The FIR reads: "While going in the car M G Reddy and the three others even threatened to kill me if I take too much interest in the school. He also threatened that if I take too much interest in the property litigation and blocked the way, they will not spare me."

 

It is to be noted here that the authorities of a temple that is coming up close to the school have been demanding a road through the school property for quite some time now. Br Philip, after he was appointed the superior of the Holy Cross School community, it is learnt, had not yielded to any such pressure tactics. The school sources said that this could be one of the reasons behind the assault on Br Philip.

 

What is intriguing the school authorities is the fact that the alleged ‘misconduct’ of Br Philip was not reported to the class teacher or the Principal by the students and the matter was directly taken to the parents. Principal of Holy Cross School, Br Assis Simoes said, "It is extremely unlikely that Br Philip could have in anyway misbehaved or used any obscene language with students. Even if he did, it is the duty of the students to report the matter to the class teacher or the Principal first. Nothing was reported to me or to the class teacher. The unruly mob has taken law into their hands and barged into the campus. Further, a Police Inspector, who is supposed to give protection, has grossly misused his powers. What is saddening is the fact that the same Inspector was the Chief Guest of a function in the school just recently."

 

Clean record

Br Philip was the Registrar of St Joseph’s College and warden of the hostel for the last three years. The College authorities, staff and students vouch for the clean record and high moral integrity of Br Philip. They have condemned the incident and demanded a probe. Principal of St Joseph’s College, Fr Ambrose Pinto, said, "One does not require great reasoning to understand that all the accusations against Br Philip are false and malicious. No one can take law into their hands and assault a person, in full presence of the media. Those who manhandled Br Philip and those behind the attack must be arrested immediately."