‘Made in Pakistan’ Label on Ceiling Fan Triggers Police Inquiry at Uttar Pradesh Madrasa
A routine repair of a ceiling fan at a madrasa in Kushinagar unexpectedly sparked controversy after a photograph of the appliance went viral on social media.
At first glance, the fan appeared to be an ordinary white ceiling fan.
However, attention quickly turned to a label and engraving on its motor housing that read “Made in Pakistan,” triggering widespread discussion online and prompting a police inquiry.
Authorities moved swiftly to investigate how a product carrying a Pakistani manufacturing label ended up installed at the religious institution in Uttar Pradesh.
According to police officials, the matter surfaced after an electrician repairing the fan reportedly noticed the marking on the upper section of the appliance and shared a photograph of it.
Circle Officer Jayant Yadav said police questioned the madrasa’s manager, Yunus Ansari, who explained that the fan had been donated to the madrasa by a resident.
Police later contacted the resident, who reportedly told investigators that the fan had been sent to him by his son, an expatriate living in Saudi Arabia.
According to the statement, the appliance was later donated to the madrasa in 2023.
Officials then spoke to the son, who claimed he had purchased the fan in Saudi Arabia in 2020 before sending it to his father in India.
“He has also provided a copy of the purchase receipt for the fan. We are examining the documents and verifying whether all required customs duties were paid,” CO Yadav said.
Police confirmed that no criminal case has been registered so far.
However, officials said they are continuing to examine whether the matter is merely incidental or if there are any broader concerns connected to it.
Speaking to The Indian Express, madrasa teacher Merajuddin Ansari said the institution had no prior knowledge about the fan’s origin.
He explained that the appliance had stopped functioning properly and was simply sent for repair.
“We did not know that ‘Made in Pakistan’ was written on it,” Ansari said. “The administration and police conducted an inquiry, but nothing suspicious was found.”
Ansari added that the madrasa has been operating since 1994 through public donations.
He said the institution once had several teachers and a larger student base, but financial difficulties forced many staff members and students to leave over the years. At present, he said, he is the only teacher managing around 50 students.
