ASIA/INDIA - Catholic schools are not "against Hindu culture"

Goa (Fides) - "We are not here to promote any culture or to promote a religion" but "in the name of secularism guaranteed by the Constitution": this is what, in a note sent to Fides, the Conference of Religious of Goa says, in response to allegations by extremist groups that define those run by the religious "schools against the Hindu culture". The "National Hindu Movement" had launched an appeal to parents, warning them from entrusting their children to Christian institutions.
Don Paulo Alvares, representative of the Conference, reiterated in the note that "through our educational institutions we promote all religions and encourage the elevation and development of all cultures". Catholics insist that "the education provided respects all religions and all cultures and aims to develop the child's growth, in the physical, intellectual, moral and social dimension". Recalling that many non-Christian children attend Catholic schools, the religious states: "At the same time we respect and encourage the individual religion and culture of the child. We will also continue to strive to serve society without distinction of caste, class, religion and language, as we have always done". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 22/04/2015)