Kochi: A significant controversy erupted in Kerala after Nirmala College in Muvattupuzha, run by the Catholic Church, denied a request from some students for a designated space to offer namaz (prayers). The BJP has labeled the demand as an attempt by “extremist elements” to cause unrest in institutions managed by Hindus and Christians.
The issue began on Friday when a group of Muslim female students approached the authorities at Nirmala College in Muvattupuzha, requesting a room to be allocated for their prayers. When the administration rejected the request, other students reportedly involved themselves and allegedly surrounded the college principal, Father Kannadan Francis.
Father Francis explained that the college had received complaints about some girls using a common room for namaz without permission. He noted that there is a mosque just 200 meters away from the college, where male students are allowed to pray. The college had already permitted such activities, but the girls wanted a designated room on campus. Father Francis clarified that the college could not allocate a room for prayers.
He added that the students who made the request were not affiliated with any specific student organization.
On Sunday, BJP state president K. Surendran weighed in on the matter, accusing some groups of deliberately trying to create problems in educational institutions run by Hindus and Christians. He claimed that extremist elements were behind the demand and criticized the Left and Congress for supporting it. Surendran questioned whether colleges managed by Muslim organizations would provide prayer spaces for students of other religions and warned that the BJP would offer protection if Muslim groups attempted to create issues in colleges.
SFI state president K. Anusree stated that her organization advocates for secularism on campus. She argued that allowing religious practices of a particular community could undermine the secular nature of college campuses and clarified that the SFI was not involved in the demand at Nirmala College.
Both the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), affiliated with the ruling CPI(M) and the Muslim Students Federation (MSF), linked to the Indian Union Muslim League, distanced themselves from the controversy, emphasizing that their members were not involved in the demand.
