Editor,
I thank The Shillong Times for publishing the hidden truth of Assam Rifles Public School (ARPS) in an impartial manner in your esteemed daily on March 14 & 19, 2016. The mental agony, exploitation and harassment caused to the teaching staff, non-teaching staff, parents and innocent students are nothing but the pride of the school management and Assam Rifles officer connected to this episode. They have never learnt in their life to submit to the truth. Truth is always truth, no matter how big, tall, rich, poor you may be. What more you want to proof? It is an open secret that ARPS has been exploiting the teaching & non-teaching staff who deserve more than the meagre amount you have been paying? What do they want to prove? Are they trying to repeat the Tehelka episode of corruption on October 11, 2014 again? The Meghalaya High Court has rejected their plea but they have appealed to the Supreme Court which was also rejected.
The ARPS authorities have every reason to be ashamed of the exploitation, harassment of the staff etc. being exposed to public. Their ego is not more important than the future of so many students who are there in the school. My humble request is – please get rid of your pride and accept the truth and learn how to honour the Supreme Court’s verdict. Why are the ARPS authorities threatening the staff, students and parents that they will close down the school? When the media contacted them they say they are yet to decide but on the other hand they have called the parents and asked them to take transfer certificates. Why this double standard?
If the School management has genuine financial problems that affect the running of the school then this can be settled through reasonable fee hike and help from various state or central government or different organisations under it. Instead the management of ARPS are acting in a vengeful manner and are about to spoil the lives of so many hundreds of students and the future of the teaching and non-teaching staff as well. Don’t forget your slogan – “Friends of the hills people.” Is this how friendship is demonstrated?
Does the ARPS management have any idea how much mental agony and harassment they have caused to teaching staff, non-teaching staff, parents and innocent students? Why don’t they put themselves in this same situation? What would be their reaction? Are we even sure that the main reason behind closing down of the school is due to finance? Will they not reopen the school in the near future after kicking out existing staffs? It is an open secret that the main reason behind this episode is because they cannot accept that they have lost the case in the court of law. Run in typical military style the ARPS management headed by an army officer cannot comprehend what it is to be a civilian. But they have to remember that all are guided by the same Indian Constitution.
If the ARPS management refuses to retract its decision and continues with this drama, I draw the attention of the concerned authorities to institute a CBI inquiry into the matter. Let CBI find out the truth whether the continuation of the school is financially viable or not. If not viable, who are the right authorities to bail the ARPS out from this scenario (so many means are at hand)? ARPS management themselves cannot decide this matter unilaterally because this episode is going to hamper the life of many innocent student and staff who are studying and working there.
Yours etc.,
John Vashum,
Shillong – 3
Much ado about patriotism
Editor,
This refers to your thought-provoking article “Maharashtra buts for Bharat” (ST March 19).The decision of the Maharashtra Assembly to suspend an MLA for refusing to shout Bharat Mata ki Jai is not fair. There is no law required to respect our Holy mother Nation. Owaisi was perhaps ill-advised to make the statement that he won’t chant the slogan even if a knife is put to his throat. Mr Oswaisi enjoys freedom of speech and wants to politicise the issue. ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ eschews conventional, singular ideas of patriotism, satirically disdaining our unshakeable dogmatism, providing a fresh perspective on patriotism. The Assembly is bound to work within the ambit of the Constitution. The Central government must put an end to such controversies.
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad- 15