A controversy has erupted in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district after over 150 Hindu students alleged they were forced to offer namaz during an NSS (National Service Scheme) camp organised by Guru Ghasidas Central University. The students have submitted a formal complaint at the Koni police station, accusing the camp coordinators of religious coercion, psychological manipulation, and issuing threats of withholding certificates.
According to the complaint, the NSS unit of the university conducted a week-long camp from March 26 to April 1 in the forest region of Shivtarai in Kota block. A total of 159 students attended the camp, including four Muslim students.
The controversy reportedly began on March 31, the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, when the camp coordinator allegedly invited the four Muslim students to perform namaz on stage in front of everyone. The rest of the students, primarily Hindus, were then allegedly instructed to mimic the prayer process, step by step.
Students have claimed that this act was not an isolated gesture but part of a broader effort to influence their religious beliefs under the guise of cultural exchange. “We were instructed to learn and repeat the namaz steps. It felt like a deliberate attempt to mentally condition us,” said one of the students, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The students alleged that despite their protests, the program officer and the camp coordinator repeatedly threatened disciplinary action and warned them that they would be denied participation certificates—crucial for their NSS credentials and academic records—if they refused to comply.
Adding to the suspicions, the students revealed that all mobile phones were confiscated during the camp, effectively preventing them from recording or photographing the incidents. “We were specifically barred from using our phones, likely so that no evidence could surface,” a student remarked.
Following their return, a group of students submitted a formal complaint at the Koni police station against the program officer Dr. Basant Kumar, coordinator Dilip Jha, and other involved staff members. They have demanded immediate disciplinary and legal action.
Confirming the complaint, Koni TI (Station House Officer) Lakheswar Kewat said, “The matter is under preliminary investigation. We are collecting factual evidence from the university authorities. If a cognizable offence is established, a formal FIR will be registered.”
Guru Ghasidas Central University, meanwhile, has distanced itself from the incident, claiming it has not officially received any student complaints. However, reacting to media reports, the university’s media in-charge MN Tripathi confirmed that a Fact-Finding Committee has been formed to investigate the claims. “We are taking this matter seriously. A committee has been constituted to uncover the facts and determine accountability,” Tripathi stated.
Previous Allegations Against MSF Activities on Campus
This incident is not the first to raise concerns about rising religious radicalism within the university. Nearly two years ago, allegations surfaced regarding the increasing activity of the Muslim Students Federation (MSF) on campus. Students had claimed that MSF was targeting Hindu students for religious conversion through online propaganda and peer manipulation.
Reports indicated that WhatsApp and Instagram groups were being used to bring students—especially those from Kerala—into the MSF fold. Some students alleged that their numbers were added without consent and that the MSF members lured them in under the pretext of helping new students adjust to university life.
An Instagram account under the MSF name also surfaced, appealing to students to join and displaying the university’s official logo without authorisation. This drew serious concern from the university administration, prompting Vice Chancellor Prof. Alok Chakrawal to order an internal investigation.
“Any organisation misusing the university logo or operating without approval is in serious violation of our policies. We are probing how such activities were allowed to continue,” Prof. Chakrawal had stated at the time.
Interestingly, the alleged MSF WhatsApp groups were primarily targeting Malayali students, especially young women. Several students had claimed that they were approached by unknown callers who introduced themselves as MSF members and offered assistance in settling down in Bilaspur. “They said they would help us with communication, local travel, and academic queries. That’s why we joined. We didn’t know it was affiliated with any political or religious agenda,” one student had explained.
The episode eerily echoes the plot of the controversial film The Kerala Story, which depicted how Hindu girls were allegedly brainwashed and converted to Islam by extremist organisations—a parallel not lost on students and observers.
Awaiting Action and Accountability
With serious allegations now being brought to the fore, the spotlight is once again on Guru Ghasidas Central University to ensure transparency, enforce accountability, and maintain the secular fabric of academic institutions.
Both the NSS camp incident and previous MSF-related controversies have triggered wider debates over religious influence on campuses, the misuse of student networks, and the vulnerability of young minds in politically and religiously charged environments.
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