Yet another Bahai scandal from the small town of Panchgani, has left the academic world in Satara district in shock. While there have been previous instances at Panchgani, where members of the so called world religion have been proved to have conducted immorally, indulging in anti-national activities and involving in mass conversion of innocent villagers, this one incident has left the entire district of Satara upset.
The incident took place at the famous New Era High School managed by the Bahai community and involved a Bahai student. At every school at Panchgani and surrounding areas the incident is being openly discussed. The so called Bahai Faith members who always make a show of moral high grounds are now trying their best to cover the issue. The incident involved a Std X student Om Joshi (son of Ms Ruhiyyih Joshi) indulging in sexual harassment of a minor girl. Om Joshi indulged in inappropriate touching of the girl in presence of his friends. With complaint from the girl student and support of eye witnesses, the school had no option but to do a cover up by rusticating Om Joshi for a few days.
The word however soon spread in Panchgani and the locals, who already have been doubting the activities of the Bahai Faith, were in mood to stage a protest. The protest was however kept in abeyance after assurance from New Era High School that necessary investigation will be done and the guilty will not be spared.
In the meantime Om Joshi’s mother, Ruhiyyih Joshi is trying her best to cover-up the acts of her son by putting blame on a certain Hindu friends of Om Joshi named Yatarth Sisodia, Neeyam Nagda, Jaymin Patel and Avantika Shinde. She has even gone to the extent of alleging Yatarth to be homo-sexual. So while the mother is moving around complaining and protecting her son, the news of the incidences happening at the school are spreading like wild fire. This being not in the interest of the school, elders of the Bahai Faith have cut-off cordial relations with Ruhiyyih Joshi. In all of this what has come out about happenings in the New Era High Schools are:
1. Violence amongst students
2. Violence committed by the school staff on the students
3. Sexual harassment
4. Slandering amongst students
5. Cheating during exams
The tall claims of Bahais of being in the forefront of quality education with values and morals are getting shattered.
The news has spread to other towns in Satara district and people are awaiting action to be taken. New Era High School, with all its political connects, is trying its best to somehow put a cover, especially since the incident involved a Bahai student. Here both a Bahai Institute and a Bahai individual are involved. Bahais in Panchgani and its neighbourhood are avoiding discussions on the subject as it is a major embarrassment for them more so since Bahais are well known to conduct moral training at schools and universities. There are other such stories coming out from present and past students which are getting circulated. Parents of several students are concerned of well being of their child and are considering transfer to other schools.
There is unrest amongst locals and in academic circles which is likely to emerge as a strong protest soon. The matter is likely to be escalated to CBSE board with a request to de-list the school. The school management is presently maintaining careful silence as future of the school and activities of the Bahai Faith have come to fore front once again.
