How Could You? Hall of Shame-India-Stella Maris Orphanage

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Mangalore, India, 41 children from the Stella Maris Orphanage were wrongly detained and traumatized.

These children are also students of the primary school and were ready to board a bus to return them to their families for school break when activists from Bajrang Dal started questioning the children. “When the bus arrived, the children got into the bus, some people claiming to be Bajrang Dal members too got into the bus with cameras and more threats blocking the exit. The warden Sr Asha Prima informed her superior and in response a senior sister Sr Maria Jyothi rushed to the spot. Meanwhile the Bajrang Dal group called the police who arrived immediately. The bus with the children and all the rest on board were taken to CWC, at Bondel.”

Though the Sisters tried to show their documents to the police, the children still were detained from approximately 2:30 PM to 10:15 PM. “The children were not given food and were restless, and highly traumatized by this experience.” “When the children reached the orphanage it was 10.15 pm, all tired, shocked, hungry and disappointed.”

““The children were shocked and depressed when the fundamentalists threatened and questioned them. They even threatened the children with murder and removal of their kidneys”, said Sister Premalatha, one of the caretakers of Stella Maris Orphanage.”[emphasis Rally]

The orphanage also suffered monetary loss of Rs 25,000 (approximately $565) because they had to re-purchase bus tickets for the children.

The supposed reasoning for the detention was due possible illegal religious conversion. Religious conversion was proven false the next day when all records were examined at the orphanage.

“Members of 37 organizations demanded that officials of the Women and Child Welfare Department and members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), who conducted raids on various child homes managed by minorities across the city, be sacked immediately. ” These organizations represent Muslim, Hindu and Christian faiths. “Leaders of Congress, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti, DYFI, Komu Souhardha Vedike, CITU, CPM, SFI, Ahinda, BSP, PUCL and other organizations participated in the protest.”

Fora see conspiracy behind raids on orphanages
[TNN 4/11/11]

Mangalore: Stella Maris Orphanage Issues Clarification – Allays Conversion Allegations
[DaijiWorld Media Network 4/12/11]

All faiths condemn attacks on children
[UCA News 4/12/11 by Francis Rodrigues]

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