Madras HC Judge  retracts ‘Girls Unsafe in Christian Institutions’ statement

Chennai: Madras High Court Judge Justice S Vaidynathan has withdrew his statements made during hearing the case to quash the show cause notice issued to faculty member Samuel Tennyson of the Madras Christian College (MCC) facing sexual harassment charges from 34 girl students.

His statement, ’There is general feeling among parents of students, especially female students, that co-educational study in Christian institutions is highly unsafe for the future of their children’ caused a stir not only amongst the Christians but also the National Commission for Minorities took cognisance of the matter.

The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) expressed concern over Madras High Court’s observation that there’s a general feeling that the Christian educational institutions are “highly unsafe” for the future of girl children. The NCM said that the honourable court’s remark has caused dismay and pain to the members of the community.

Justice Vaidynathan also retracted his statement on the accusations of compulsory conversion of people by Christian institutions. He has stated, “In the present era, there are several accusations against them (Christian institutions) for indulging in compulsory conversion of people of other religions to Christianity. Though the impart good education, their preaching of morality will be a million-dollar question.”