Moral dilemma on Religious practice vs. Social practice:

Moral science is one of the extra curricular subjects most of us study in schools. The moral stories are explained to us and at last we were told about the moral of the story. But the moral is not about teaching rules and distinguishing 'Good vs. Bad'. It is more than that. It is about developing a cognition, thinking ability and decision making capacity of a person in order for him to take decisions in various situations which involves dilemma.

Below is the incidence reported in June 2016 in times of India Bangalore edition. This parent is stuck in a moral dilemma on religious practice vs. Social practice. In this situation both are vital for him. Have a look on a below article and discuss with some of your fellow folks. Discuss what decision each of you would take and what are reasons behind each step.

BENGALURU: A private school in the city has expelled a kindergarten student allegedly because he has a ponytail.

When Manjunath BC went to pick up his son, Vishnu BM, from St Vincent Pallotti School on Banaswadi Main Road in Babusaab Palya on June 6, principal Fr Paul D'Souza told him that rules did not allow boys to sport ponytails.

D'Souza told Manjunath the LKG boy's hair had to be cut if he was to continue in the school. Manjunath, who runs a provisions store in Babusaab Palya, explained that his son is three-and-a-half years old, and the family's custom was to cut a boy's hair only after he turned five and offer it to the family deity.

"I requested the principal to allow us to keep it, but he was adamant. He said he would not allow Vishnu or us, his parents, to enter the school premises," said Manjunath.

"He returned the fees of Rs 43,000 and sent us out of the school. I fell at the principal's feet, pleading with him to let my son continue, but he refused," said Manjunath.

Since June 7, Manjunath has gone to more than a dozen schools in the city , but hasn't been able to get a seat as admissions are closed. Manjunath pointed out, "We will have to wait for another year to admit our son in LKG in some other school."

Denying the allegations, Fr Paul D'Souza said, "I told him not to hold such superstitious beliefs. Following such practices is against our school rules, we can't have different rules for different children."

`We are waiting for complaint'

"We will check and the department will decide on the course of action in a couple of days. We are waiting for a complaint from the parents," said K Anand, primary education director, department of public instruction.

Note: The report is directly taken from online website of times of India publication. The report is put in its original form as taken from newspaper site.

News article: http://m.timesofindia.com/city/bengaluru/Bengaluru-school-expels-LKG-boy-for-sporting-ponytail/articleshow/52697458.cms

Blog compiled by:
Maaz Mohammed A.Q

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