Massive Controversy Erupted After Students Demand Namaz Space in Kerala Church-Run College

Kochi: A controversy has erupted in Kerala following a protest by some students at Nirmala College in Muvattupuzha near Kochi, who sought permission to offer 'namaz' within the college premises. The protest, which took place on Friday, was triggered by claims that non-teaching staff had barred a few female students from offering their Friday prayers in a designated room.

Footage of the protest, aired by local media, shows students alleging that they had been denied the right to pray for several days and demanding an apology from the principal.

The incident has drawn criticism from the BJP, which argues that the situation is being manipulated to create discord in educational institutions run by Hindu and Christian communities.

BJP state chief K Surendran suggested that the protestors are extremists backed by the Left and Congress parties. The BJP also claimed that the demand for a prayer area is part of a broader agenda to destabilize religious harmony in colleges, citing similar incidents in Kanjirappally and Erattupetta.

The SFI, the student wing of the ruling CPI(M), responded by distancing itself from the protest, asserting that its goal is to maintain secularism on campuses and prevent any single religion's practices from dominating. SFI state secretary P M Arsho denied any involvement in the protest.

The Catholic Congress, affiliated with the Syro-Malabar Church, condemned the protest, suggesting that students should instead use nearby mosques for their prayers. They argued that accommodating such requests on campus would be unacceptable.

BJP leader P C George criticized the protest, questioning whether a Muslim college would permit spaces for Hindus or Christians to pray.

(With inputs from agencies)