Mumbai: A legal notice was sent to Ideal College in Kalyan after three Muslim pharmacy students were forced by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal to apologise for offering namaz inside an empty classroom. The incident, captured on video, went viral on November 22, showing the students standing before a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, holding their ears, and promising not to practise any religious ritual publicly while the outsiders chanted slogans of “Jai Shri Ram.”
High court advocate Faiyaz Shaikh, representing the signatories, demanded an inquiry into the identities of those who coerced the apology and how outsiders accessed the campus. The notice stresses that disciplinary action must be taken by college authorities and not by external groups. It also calls for written assurance that students will not face similar humiliation, implementation of proper security measures, and preservation of CCTV footage for investigation. Additionally, a circular guaranteeing religious neutrality on campus is requested.
The notice was backed by Adv Ateeque Ahmed Khan of AIMIM, Adv Nafees Khan, and the Govandi Citizens Welfare Forum. Shaikh emphasized that circulating the video sends a message of intimidation to the wider Muslim community and creates unease. He added that the college management could have addressed the matter internally without involving political and religious groups.
The legal notice warns that failure to comply will result in court action. The case underscores concerns about religious freedom, safety, and the rights of students to practise their faith without public coercion. It also highlights the need for institutions to maintain secular and safe educational environments for all students.
