Serious concerns over religious freedom and campus safety amid pressure from Hindu organisations; legal experts demand college upholds religious neutrality and improve security
MUMBAI —A legal notice has been sent to Ideal College in Kalyan following a controversial incident in which three Muslim pharmacy students were forced to apologise for offering namaz in an empty classroom. Members of Hindu organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, entered the campus and compelled the students to apologise in a video that quickly went viral, sparking outrage and concern across the community.
The notice, issued by Bombay High Court advocate Fayaz Shaikh on Wednesday, seeks identification of the individuals who demanded the apology and an investigation into how outsiders were able to enter the college premises. It emphasises that only the college administration has the authority to take disciplinary action against students and that no student should face public humiliation.
“By making a viral video of VHP and Bajrang Dal members chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ while forcing Muslim students to apologise, a message has been sent to the entire community,” Shaikh said. “This has created unease among Muslims. If the students had violated college policy, the management could have handled it internally. It need not have become a public issue or a political-religious matter.”
The legal notice also demands that the college preserve all CCTV footage related to the incident, implement additional security measures, and issue a circular ensuring religious neutrality on campus. Advocates Atiq Ahmed Khan and Nafees Khan, along with the Govandi Citizens Welfare Forum, have backed the notice, warning that they will approach the court if these measures are not taken.
The controversy escalated last week when a video of the students offering namaz went viral. Subsequently, Bajrang Dal and VHP members reportedly entered the campus and forced the students to stand in front of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji, holding their ears and promising not to engage in religious activity in public areas, while chanting “Jai Shri Ram.”
The college management stated that outsiders were informed that religious activities were not permitted on campus. However, they clarified that the students’ intentions were not wrong and that they had already apologised to the administration. Reports suggest that members of VHP and Bajrang Dal pressured the management to take action against the students, turning a private disciplinary matter into a public spectacle.
Local Muslim community members have expressed deep concern over the incident. “Our children should feel safe to practise their faith quietly and respectfully,” said Zahida Khan, a parent of one of the students. “No one has the right to humiliate them publicly. This incident sends a dangerous message to the entire community.”
The legal notice highlights the need for colleges to protect minority students from harassment and maintain religious neutrality on campus. “Ensuring a safe and inclusive environment is not just a legal responsibility, it is a moral one,” Shaikh added.
This incident has sparked wider debate about religious freedom, campus safety, and the role of outside organisations in educational institutions. Activists warn that allowing such interference can create fear among students, undermine communal harmony, and politicise routine disciplinary matters.
