UP boy 'sacrificed' in Hathras: SFI blames Modi, UP Govt for spreading ‘unscientific things’; seeks action

NEW DELHI: The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) expressed shock over the alleged murder of a Class 2 student as part of a black magic ritual and blamed the Modi government for the tragic incident. The owner of DL Public School in Hathras killed a child named Kritarth as a “sacrifice” for the better prosperity of the school. Police have arrested the owner, director, principal, and two teachers for their involvement in the case.

The central executive committee of SFI took note of the incident and demanded court trial and punishment for the culprits behind the “cruel act”.

Taking a jibe at the Uttar Pradesh government, the students’ body questioned its incompetence to ensure law and order. SFI observed that reports claim that the accused Jasodhan Singh had planned the human sacrifice ritual earlier with another boy which was foiled when the boy raised an alarm and ran away. The government and the authorities were unable to identify and take action against the school owner at that point of time, which led to another attempt that took the child’s life.

“It is clear that the motives behind the crime are rooted in superstition. The Modi government at the centre and the Yogi Adityanath government in the state holds responsibility for such crimes since they are the prime responsible in spreading unscientific things,” said SFI president V P Sanu in an official statement.

'Unscientific' education through NEP

The students’ association believes that the National Education Policy (NEP) introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is constantly hindering scientific values in education. Along with this, the BJP leaders in the state and centre are continuously indulging in spreading unscientific concepts and thereby tampering the scientific consciousness of the people, it stated.

SFI finds the inclusion and provision of scientific education in schools as the solution to such crimes. “This undoubtedly creates an environment suitable for such heinous crimes. The only way to counter this is by nurturing scientific temper in the society and the schools through proper scientific education,” it stated.

Demanding action, SFI further said, “We also call upon all the progressive sections in the country to rise against the cultivation of superstition, spread of anti-science ideas and attack on reason by the communal forces.”