Almost 10 days ago, a shocking case of mass religious conversion of Hindu students in the name of career counselling was reported from Maharashtra’s Malegaon district. After the counselling, these students were asked to visit Mosque, then recite the Quranic verses and so on. The racket was busted after the local Hindu activists highlighted the case.
On June 11, a seminar was organised at the Maharaj Sayaji Gaikwad Arts, Science and Commerce College. These students were called in the name of career counselling, and with other Muslim students, some Hindu students including NCC cadets were also invited.
The topic of the meeting was the use of computer programs and career counselling, however, clerics wearing skull caps were reciting Quranic verses, students were taught about Islam, they were taught how Islam is superior to Hinduism and so on.
Notably, the posters and the banners associated with the programme showed, it was more of a religious gathering than a career counselling session. A number of students were gathered but when they heard the Quranic verses, they informed other students and within no time Hindu activists assembled in front of the college demanding action.
Following the massive protests, a First Information Report (number–111/2023) was registered at the Malegaon Camp police station on June 11.
As per the FIR, the complainant, Shyam Madhavrao Devare (23) told the police that, he lives in the Motibag Naka with his family. On June 11, around 10 am, people from the college called him saying, quranic verses were translated by the speakers at the career guidance programme.
He reached the seminar hall to attend the career counselling session. From the day, Shyam recalled and added, “They said that students from other faiths also have the right to have education as the Muslim students, but since they are economically weaker so we would provide financial assistance. They said that they ate a plentiful of food but their Quran did not teach them to let their neighbours go hungry nor did their Islam allow anyone to die by hunger. Hence, we will teach in our way but for that, you have to come to the mosque and learn because the mosque is free from Saturday to Thursday,”
They further elaborated was Islam was superior religion to Sanatan Dharma. This training had Muslim boys aged 22 to 26 years. However, boys and girls from the Hindu faith were between the 16 to 21 age group. They were telling the Muslim boys to stand up and recount their experiences how they benefitted from the training and how the training institute helped them so that the Hindu boys and girls would be influenced and grow respect for the Islamic faith
Some of the Muslim boys said that they wake up at 5 am and perform Namaz to start the day. Their mind remains fresh because of performing the namaz and they get energy for studying. Much time could be assigned for studies and other activities in the day. Thus they benefitted from namaz.
Overall, they were comparing Islam with the Hindu faith and telling us how Islam was great. Information regarding the Islamic faith was given more than educational training, added Shyam.
About 20 to 25 persons were sitting on the dais for the program. About 4-5 of them were faculty staff. Before the program was to conclude, Shyam called some of his colleagues there. After seeing them, he objected to the program and said that this program was a communal one where information about Quran and Islam was being given and how Islam was greater than Hinduism was being told.
Moreover, Hindus were enticed to embrace Islam by luring them financially and showing them good aspects of Islam. Then an unidentified person who was present there held his hand and said, ‘Show us what is communal in this. Show us where the banners have been put’
Then he showed the posters and banners of the event, some of these posters read, “He is not devout (Muslim) who eats plentiful but his neighbour remains hungry” and “Paki adha imaan hai, pavitrata adha imaan (faith in Allah)”.
The named accused in the FIR were the organisers of the event Ejaj Ansari, Ahmed Shamshuddoha, the President of the college, Subhash Nikam, the vice-president, teacher Riyaz and others.
All the accused named in the FIR were booked under, IPC sections 295 (causing damage to the place of worship), 153-A (illegal activity), 298 (hurting religious feelings) and 34 (act done by several people with common intention).
Following the FIR, the police immediately took 15 people (who were the organisers) into custody. The college principal Dr Subhash Nikam was also suspended.
It is pertinent ti mention that, the family of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Apoorva Hiray runs the college.
To date, no accused has been arrested in the case even after the institution of the FIR.
