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At a time when lectures from the platform of 'Global Agriculture & Food Summit 2018' were continuing on Thursday inside Sports complex in Ranchi,Christian Missionary school was busy making students harvest paddy on the outskirts of the state capital.
"The aim was to run the mess of Christian Fathers and hostel of students",said a Christian student echoing the sentiments of other students in this village.
The summit was organised by the state agriculture department to develop eco-system and environment.It was being participated by senior officials and representativ of China,Moroco and other countries.None of the participants have responded to a complaint that missionary schools were making students harvest paddy on the outskirts of Ranchi.
A political leader claims to have seen Saint Igonisis School students inside paddy field and cutting paddy crops at Vijaygiri village. "The students were girls and in school uniform," said All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) legislator Vikas Kumar Munda.
Munda has informed the authorities and based on his complaint the state government's Circle Officer of Tamar Rajesh Kumar inspected the area and found the allegation near to the truth."Yes, students were cutting paddy. Principal Father Johan was also present."
When asked for comment,the school management has insisted that it was part of the students' Socially Useful Productive Work (SUPW) and as per the academic curriculum, taken up only in after-school hours.
"It's exploitation of the girl students. We will take up the issue. We will also ensure that action is taken against the school management," Mr Munda said.
A similar incident was also reported from Dighia village in Bero block here, where girls from Saint Anna School were found cutting paddy.
Around 50 students took part in the after-school activity as part of SUPW, Sister Marry Bage, principal, told reporters.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has also demanded the school managements