Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh): Seven professors and one student from Guru Ghasidas Central University in Bilaspur have been booked for allegedly compelling students to participate in a religious activity without consent during a National Service Scheme (NSS) camp. The incident, which occurred on March 31, took place in Shivtarai village during a week-long NSS program held from March 26 to April 1.
According to the complaint, around 155 students were allegedly made to offer namaz on the occasion of Eid, despite not being informed or asked for consent. The complaint was lodged by some students, who were accompanied by members of a right-wing organization when they approached the police.
Kota police station officials stated that namaz was being performed by Muslim students on the school grounds, and other participants were allegedly instructed to join them. “The issue arose because the faculty members did not seek the consent of the non-Muslim students before involving them in the religious practice,” said an officer from the police station.
The First Information Report (FIR) was initially filed at the Koni police station and later transferred to the Kota police station, which has jurisdiction over the area where the incident took place.
Kota Police Station in-charge, Sumit Kumar, confirmed that an investigation is underway. “We are looking into the details of the complaint and the sequence of events,” he said.
Those named in the FIR include seven faculty members, among them the NSS camp coordinator, and a student who served as the team’s core leader.
They have been booked under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including:
- Section 196(b): Promoting enmity between groups,
- Section 197(1)(b)(c): Statements prejudicial to national integration,
- Section 299: Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings,
- Section 302: Deliberate utterance of words meant to wound religious sentiments,
- Section 190: Unlawful assembly.
The case has stirred debate in academic and social circles, prompting a broader conversation about religious freedom, consent, and the conduct of educational institutions during public service programs.