False Accusations Trigger Unrest at St. Andrews Higher Secondary School in Goa

Vasco, Goa, September 14, 2025: A false allegation made by a parent against the staff of St. Andrews Higher Secondary School in Vasco has led to disruption and unrest on the school campus. The incident, which occurred on 12 September 2025, involved claims that teachers had forced a student to cut off a religious thread worn on her wrist—an accusation the Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP) has denounced as baseless.

According to CSJP, the parent not only levelled the unfounded allegation but also circulated a WhatsApp message urging Hindus in the Mormugao taluka to gather outside the school at 11:00 a.m. in protest, accusing the institution of promoting Hindu hatred.

Within hours, individuals identifying themselves as members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad appeared at the school premises. Their presence disrupted sports practice and, as CSJP highlighted, endangered the safety and security of students. The group allegedly intimidated teachers and school authorities with the apparent aim of creating communal unrest.

The school community expressed shock at the heavy police deployment, along with officials from the Collectorate and the Directorate of Education, who arrived at the site. CSJP observed that any genuine concern should have been addressed directly with the Principal, as parents are advised during admission orientations. Instead, the parent’s actions were seen as an attempt to tarnish the reputation of a respected institution.

St. Andrews Higher Secondary School, managed by the Diocesan Society of Education (DSE), is among the most sought-after institutions in Mormugao taluka. For more than fifty years, its diverse faculty has worked in harmony to promote the holistic development of students, with a special focus on discipline, moral values, and nation-building.

In its statement, CSJP expressed full solidarity with the management and staff of St. Andrews, lauding the school’s decades-long contribution to education. The council also urged government authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and take firm action against those spreading false allegations to foment communal discord.

False Accusations Trigger Unrest at St. Andrews Higher Secondary School in Goa

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