The Hindu Munnani has urged the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu to audit all missionary-run hostels immediately to ensure they operate within legal frameworks. The organization also calls for establishing a Christian Charities Department to oversee these institutions.
The demand follows the recent arrest of S. Grace Sagayarani, 54, and her son, Samson Daniel, 31, a government doctor, under the POCSO Act. They face charges related to the sexual assault of children at a government-aided school in Trichy. Reports allege that Grace Sagayarani allowed her son to abuse students, prompting a significant backlash against the DMK government.
The Hindu Munnani has criticized the state administration for its alleged failure to address abuses in Christian missionary-run hostels. The organisation calls for decisive action against the individuals involved, including the headmistress of the affected school. They argue that despite the financial support provided by the government for educational purposes, severe issues of sexual harassment have surfaced.
The Hindu Munnani has criticized the situation, stating, “Even if Appavu and Vairamuthu buttress more than paid for Christians saying they provided education, the pretence of those who purportedly offer education has been exposed engaging in sexual harassment. In Trichy’s Melapudur area, female students have been victims of sexual harassment linked to the ruling DMK government’s minority vote. Therefore, the Tamil Nadu government should establish a Christian Charities Department to oversee church administration and regulate illegal activities, at least now.”
கிறிஸ்தவ மிஷனரிகளால் மாணவியர் விடுதிகளில்
தொடரும் அத்துமீறல்…மாணவிகளிடம் அத்துமீறிய பள்ளி தலைமை ஆசிரியை மற்றும் அவரது மகன் சாம்சன் டேனியல் மீது கடும் நடவடிக்கை எடு.!
மிஷனரிகள் நடத்தும் அனைத்து விடுதிகளையும் உடனடி ஆய்வு செய்திடு.!@CMOTamilnadu @mkstalin @tnpoliceoffl pic.twitter.com/H8nxuciyex
— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) September 6, 2024
The arrests followed a victim’s complaint, which led to the discovery that the hostel operated by the Church lacked necessary government approvals. Grace Sagayarani and Samson Daniel are accused of sexually assaulting school girls at the DELC Church-run Bishop Hyman Memorial Primary School.
The Hindu Munnani’s request for a comprehensive review and stricter oversight of missionary-run institutions highlights growing concerns about the regulation and safety of educational facilities in Tamil Nadu.
Background
On 3 September 2024, Dr. S. Samson Daniel (31), a government doctor, was arrested under the POCSO Act on allegations of sexually assaulting minor girls at a hostel affiliated with a government-aided school in Trichy. His mother, S. Grace Sagayarani (54), who is the headmistress of the school, was also taken into custody for allegedly helping to cover up the offenses.
Daniel, from Palakkarai in Trichy, was employed as a doctor at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Anbil near Lalgudi. He frequently visited the school hostel under the pretense of conducting health checkups. During these visits, he is accused of inappropriately touching girls aged between five and ten. A concerned parent reported this abuse to the childline helpline, 1098.
Following the report, District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Rahul Gandhi, District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Vijayalakshmi, and two social workers visited the hostel on 2 August 2024. They interviewed 42 children, who revealed that Daniel had been assaulting them during his health checkups over the past few months. Based on their findings, the Fort All Women Police arrested the doctor under the POCSO Act, and the investigation is ongoing.
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