Mumbai, May 24, 2010: Christian schools in Mumbai have demurred at the suggestion of introducing Hindu culture for students after a directive was issued by the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party ruled Brihan Mumbai Corporation (BMC).

Archdiocesan Board of Education (Abe) General Secretary Gregory Lobo told the BBC that his schools promoted respect for all faiths and there was no need to focus on a particular faith.

The Board runs about 150-odd Christian schools in the state. It is now preparing to take legal action against the proposal that is now being considered by the Maharashtra government.

On Tuesday, last week, BMC held a meeting after which it asked missionary schools to increase holidays for Hindu festivals and additionally remove a ban on students applying mehendi and wearing bindis and bangles.

Denying the allegation, Lobo said schools had no such restrictions and students were allowed to wear bindis and bangles.

Archbishop of Mumbai Cardinal Oswald Gracias also rejected the allegations "coming from a handful of officials in the municipality".

Speaking to AsiaNews, he underlined "the values of patriotism and religious harmony" that are inculcated in the students of Christian Schools.

Christian schools, he said, were committed to promoting "diversity and pluralism" as elements that can enrich India, to contribute to "nation building" and "the welfare of society".

He added that Christian schools were "Models of Integration" and that it was "inclusive and respectful of all religions". (Babu Thomas, Christian Today)