College issues certificates with Jesus, Mary pictures on certificates for taluk-level sports meet

CHAMARAJANAGAR: A controversy has erupted after participants of a taluk-level sports meet for pre-university colleges by the Department of School Education were issued certificates with images Jesus and Mary on them.

The sports meet was hosted by the Christaraja PU College in Hanur and Saint Mary’s Composite PU College at Martalli recently. Images of the certificate were shared on social media with comments saying, “If puja is done for Lord Ganesha or Goddess Saraswati, it is labelled at communal, but don’t the same people see what is happening here?”

Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI) Manjunath disclosed that he was to sign the 700 certificates for the participants. “Previously, I had shared on WhatsApp a scanned image of my signature. Without bringing it to my notice, they have affixed my signature on the certificates. We have issued a notice to the college and withdrawn all the certificates. Instructions have also been given to issue fresh certificates”, he said.

DDPI Manjunath said a notice has been issued to the college seeking explanation.

Further, the DDPI, while regretting the goof-up, said, “On the advise of the district deputy commissioner, we have issued a notice and we will take legal measures”.

The notice has questioned the college authorities why a picture of Jesus was printed instead of the Karnataka sports meet logo. It further said the sports meet, held on May 9 this year, was a government event and printing religious images hurt the sentiments of students from other communities. If the college authorities do not reply to the notice within three days, a recommendation for cancellation of recognition will be made, the notice said.