29 July 2024: A controversy has emerged at Nirmala College, a church-run institution in Kerala, after students protested against being denied permission to perform Namaz or Salat (Islamic prayer) on campus. The incident has sparked strong reactions from the BJP and Catholic Church member organizations.
On Friday, a group of students staged a protest inside Nirmala College, alleging that non-teaching staff prevented several female students from offering their Friday prayers in a designated room within the institution.
Videos broadcast by local channels show the protesting students claiming that their prayers had been obstructed by office staff for several days. They demanded an apology from the principal for these actions, reported the Indian Express.
The BJP criticized the incident, accusing certain groups of attempting to disrupt educational institutions managed by Hindu and Christian communities.
“Some are trying to threaten the principal of the college for not permitting Namaz. Extremists are behind such moves,” alleged BJP state chief K Surendran. He further claimed that these groups have the support of the Left and Congress parties.
In a statement, the BJP suggested that the demand for a separate prayer area is part of a larger agenda. “Similar incidents have been reported in Kanjirappally and Erattupetta. This is part of an international conspiracy to turn our colleges into rioting grounds in the name of religion,” the statement read.
The Student Federation of India (SFI), affiliated with the ruling CPI(M), countered these allegations, asserting that right-wing organizations are wrongly blaming them for the protest.
“SFI was always at the forefront to maintain the campuses secular. Allowing the rituals of any particular religion to be performed on campuses could lead to the observance of rituals from all religions, thereby affecting the secular spirit of the campuses,” the SFI said in a statement.
SFI state secretary P M Arsho stated that their organization was not involved in the protest as alleged by the BJP.
The Catholic Congress, associated with the Syro-Malabar Church, condemned the protest and called for the removal of such divisive forces.
“The educational institution can allow students time to offer their prayers in the nearby mosque on Fridays. But the demand to allow space for ladies in the college campus just because the mosque will not allow women inside cannot be accepted,” the organization said in a statement.
BJP leader PC George termed the protest inside the college as “condemnable.” “Will any Muslim college allow rooms for Hindus or Christians to pray?” he questioned.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing tensions in Kerala over the accommodation of religious practices in educational institutions, drawing attention from various political and religious groups.
