On Friday, July 26, a group of students, allegedly affiliated with the Muslim Students Federation (MSF), the student wing of the Indian Union Muslim League, created a stir by blocking the Principal of Nirmala College in Muvattupuzha. Reports suggest that these students enjoyed the support of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI). Their primary demand was the allocation of a separate area within the college premises for offering namaz, a Muslim prayer ritual.
The issue initially arose when a teacher objected to the students performing namaz in a classroom. In response, the students resorted to an extreme measure by barricading the Principal in his office room, holding him hostage for several hours. Eventually, they released him only after he received assurance that the matter would be discussed with the college management and a response would be provided by July 29.
Nirmala College holds a prominent position among the autonomous institutions in the state. This decades-old arts and science college operates under the Kothamangalam Arch Diocese of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church.
Interestingly, students at Nirmala College are already free to attend Friday prayers and offer namaz at nearby mosques. Kevin Peter, from the Church’s Auxiliary for Social Actions (CASA), informed the media that there are three mosques located just 200 meters away from the college. Notably, one of these mosques even welcomes women for prayers. Therefore, observers do not see any rhyme or reason for the fresh demand to have facility to offer namaz in the college.
Four girl students offered namaz in a class room on July 26. When a teacher objected it they started agitation. Professors say that college hostel is nearby so that the girls could go there to offer namaz. But, the students insist on facility within the college premises. Right thinking people believe that Nirmala College incident is an indication of the growing religious fundamentalism in the state; and, it is being injected to the young students. Observers believe that if the demand in Nirmala College is conceded, similar demands will rise from the colleges and schools which may even end up with the demand for masjids in every educational institution. It will be a dangerous beginning all over Kerala. They are afraid of the replication of hijab agitation in Karnataka which turned violent after religious fundamentalists hijacked it. Catholic Congress Global Committee issued a circular which alleges that some students try to destroy the peaceful atmosphere of Nirmala College. It condemned the mainstream political outfits which supported the students’ demand. MSF is the student wing of the Indian Union Muslim League, a constituent of the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). Circular wonders why should non-Muslim management arrange facilities for namaz for Muslim girls while mosques do not permit women to their Friday prayers. It says, Muslim clergy may facilitate mosques for the Muslim girls’ prayers.
It is to be remembered that Malayalam Professor T.J. Joseph was teaching in Newman College, Thodupuzha, 20 kilometres away from Nirmala College. Both colleges are under the same management. PFI terrorists chopped professor’s hand, on July 4, 2010, alleging blasphemy. And, the management was not sympathetic towards him.
Therefore, the development in Nimala College brings anxieties to the hearts of millions of Keralites.
