Uttar Pradesh Universities Directed to Establish Anti-Radicalisation Units to Prevent Forced Religious Conversions on Campuses
Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Governor’s Secretariat has instructed all state universities and higher educational institutions across the state to establish dedicated anti-radicalisation units and strengthen student welfare mechanisms to prevent any attempts at forced religious conversion within campuses.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over reports of students allegedly being targeted through coercion, inducements, or psychological influence.
The move follows a high-profile controversy that surfaced last year at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow, where allegations emerged that a “love jihad” network was operating from the campus.
A junior resident doctor was subsequently arrested on charges related to alleged forced religious conversion and sexual exploitation.
In an official communication dated May 29, the office of the Governor-cum-Chancellor issued detailed instructions to vice-chancellors and directors of state universities and higher educational institutions.
The letter called for the immediate implementation of preventive measures designed to identify, deter, and address such incidents before they escalate.
The communication, signed by Dr Sudhir M. Bobde, Special Executive Officer to the Chancellor, stated that authorities have been receiving recurring reports of attempts to influence students toward religious conversion through incentives, manipulation, or emotional pressure.
Stressing the need for vigilance, the letter urged institutions to maintain a secure, religion-neutral, and academically focused environment while adopting proactive strategies to prevent such activities.
To strengthen institutional oversight, universities have been directed to make anti-radicalisation units and student welfare cells more active and responsive.
These bodies are expected to play a key role in identifying concerns, supporting students, and ensuring that campus environments remain free from any form of coercive influence.
The Governor’s Secretariat emphasised that universities are not merely centres of education and research but also play a vital role in shaping the moral values, intellectual growth, and social development of young people.
It noted that any attempt to influence students through fear, emotional manipulation, mental pressure, or unethical incentives for religious conversion is unacceptable, unethical, and contrary to the law.
Reiterating its position, the communication stated that any illegal effort to induce religious conversion by exploiting vulnerabilities, creating psychological pressure, or offering improper benefits would not be tolerated and must be dealt with firmly under existing legal provisions.
As part of the preventive framework, educational institutions have been instructed to incorporate discussions on the issue during mentor-mentee interactions.
The objective is to create awareness among students and help them recognise and report any suspicious approaches or undue influence.
Universities have also been advised to utilise Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings and informal engagement sessions to better understand students’ concerns and monitor their emotional and mental well-being.
Officials believe such interactions can help identify potential issues at an early stage.
In addition, institutions have been asked to establish dedicated counselling centres where students can confidentially seek guidance or report instances involving mental pressure, inducements, or suspicious activities.
These support systems are intended to provide a safe and confidential platform for students facing concerns.
The directive further calls for heightened security measures in hostels and other sensitive campus locations.
Universities have been instructed to restrict the entry of unauthorised individuals, strengthen monitoring systems, and conduct surprise inspections periodically to ensure campus safety.
To encourage awareness and critical thinking, institutions have also been directed to organise seminars, lectures, and workshops focusing on moral values, rational decision-making, constitutional rights, and legal awareness.
The communication further states that if any organisation, group, or individual is found engaging in activities suspected to be linked to unlawful conversion efforts, universities must immediately alert local administrative authorities and law enforcement agencies.
Such cases, it noted, should be dealt with under the provisions of Uttar Pradesh’s anti-conversion legislation.
The latest directive aligns with the Yogi Adityanath government’s continued emphasis on alleged unlawful religious conversions as a significant law-and-order issue.
Over the past few years, the state administration has strengthened the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act and increased its focus on enforcement.
The new guidelines place educational institutions at the forefront of efforts to identify and prevent such activities among students.
Commenting on the development, a senior faculty member at KGMU confirmed that the university had received the Governor Secretariat’s instructions.
He said that while the institution had already established a mechanism to address complaints related to religious conversion, additional steps would now be taken to further strengthen the system.
The faculty member revealed that following last year’s controversy, a dedicated monitoring cell was constituted at the university.
During its functioning, the panel reportedly identified two separate incidents involving alleged conversion-related activities.
In one case, a person with no medical qualifications allegedly posed as a healthcare professional and attempted to persuade female students to participate in medical camps organised by him.
According to the official, police cases were registered in both instances, and the accused individuals were subsequently arrested.
University authorities maintain that they will continue working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure a secure and transparent academic environment for students.
