The controversy has sparked a broader debate about religious practices in educational institutions
Team Clarion
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM — A request by a group of Muslim students for a space to offer prayers at Nirmala College in Muvattupuzha in the Ernakulam District of Kerala, has led to a significant controversy. The college, run by the Catholic Church, denied the request, which has drawn a strong reaction from various political and student organisations.
The issue began on Friday when a group of female students from the Muslim community asked the college authorities to allot a room for them to offer prayers. Their request was denied, leading to heightened tensions on the campus. Some students reportedly gheraoed the college principal, Father Kannadan Francis, in protest.
Father Francis explained the situation, saying, “The college had received a complaint that a group of girls were using a common room for namaz. There is a mosque only 200 metres away from the college. Boys at the college go to the mosque at noon for prayers, and this is allowed in all educational institutions. However, the girls claimed they were not allowed to pray at the mosque and wanted a room in the college. We have informed them that the college cannot permit a room for prayers.”
He added that the students who made the demand did not belong to any specific student organisation.
On Sunday, BJP state president K Surendran accused “extremist elements” of being behind the demand. “Some people are trying to create trouble at educational institutions run by Hindus and Christians. Extremist elements are behind the demand. The Left and the Congress are supporting it. Do colleges under Muslim management provide space for prayer to students from other religious communities? If Muslim groups are trying to foment trouble at colleges, BJP will give them protection,” he said.
The Students’ Federation of India (SFI), a wing of the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala, and the Muslim Students Federation (MSF), the student wing of the Indian Union Muslim League, distanced themselves from the controversy. Both organisations issued statements denying their involvement.
SFI state president K Anusree emphasised their stance on secularism in educational institutions. “We stand for ensuring secularism on campuses. If campuses allow religious practices of any particular community, it will affect the secular nature of the college campuses,” she said. “We are not associated with the demand raised at Nirmala College.”
The controversy has sparked a broader debate about religious practices in educational institutions and the balance between accommodating religious needs and maintaining secular environments. As the situation develops, various stakeholders continue to voice their opinions and concerns.
