Row over Lucknow Catholic schools

Loreto Convent in Lucknow

Roman Catholic schools in the northern Indian city of Lucknow have remained shut in protest against an attack on one of the city's premier schools.

Hindu activists damaged property at the Loreto Convent girls' school on Sunday, after it organised a controversial occult show.

They accuse the school of trying to convert students to Christianity.

Loreto Convent has rejected the charge and says the show was organised to help children develop spiritually.

The controversy centres on a prayer session held last week, when a visiting spiritual healer claimed Jesus Christ had entered his body to bless those present.

Many of the students later said they were scared, and some of the girls even fainted during the session.

After this was reported by newspapers, activists of the youth wing of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vandalised parts of the school, breaking flower ports and window panes.

Police arrested three people, but later released them on bail.

The state administration has ordered an inquiry into the incident and a report is expected in the coming days.