Udai Pratap Degree College found itself at the center of a heated dispute this week when tensions erupted over the mosque situated on its campus. The situation escalated after a significant number of devotees gathered for Friday prayers, sparking a protest that saw several students recite the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ as a sign of dissent. The protest resulted in the brief detention of seven individuals by police. The incident marks the latest chapter in ongoing communal unease within the educational institution, where the role of the campus mosque has remained a point of contention.
The unrest is rooted in a surge of interest around an old issue: the mosque inside Udai Pratap Degree College’s grounds. Tensions were reignited following last month’s violence in Sambhal, linked to the survey of a centuries-old mosque. The incident brought renewed scrutiny to the campus mosque, which had previously been the subject of a notice from the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board in 2018. This notice had questioned the status of the mosque and whether the land it stood on could be registered as Waqf property—a claim made by a Varanasi resident, Waseem Ahmed. However, according to college authorities, there are currently no issues pending with the Waqf Board concerning the property.
The situation escalated last week when over 600 individuals reportedly attended the Friday prayers at the mosque, a significant increase from the usual 40-50 people who usually visit. This surge in numbers prompted several college students to gather at the campus gates to protest on Tuesday. Their chosen form of protest was to recite the ‘Hanuman Chalisa,’ a Hindu devotional hymn. The authorities present, anticipating a potential escalation, intervened, and detained seven individuals, including current and former students, on charges of disturbing the peace. They were later released on bail the same day.
Controversy Over Outsider Entry
The presence of a large number of outsiders for the Friday prayers has been the main bone of contention, as it has led to discomfort among some students and faculty members. Principal Dharmendra Kumar Singh stated that the administration has been working to maintain order, and one of the measures suggested was restricting entry to the mosque to only those with a valid Aadhaar card. “Only persons with a valid Aadhaar card should be allowed entry. Residents living near the college and UP College students may offer prayers at the mosque, but permitting others could create tension on the campus. To maintain order, everyone must present a valid ID before entering for prayers,” Principal Singh explained.
Singh added that restricting the entry of outsiders could help maintain harmony within the campus, particularly considering that Udai Pratap College is a large institution with over 17,000 students spread across five different educational branches—including an autonomous college, an inter college, and a management college. The college, established in 1909 by Rajarshi Udai Pratap Singh Judeo, has always been regarded as an important educational hub in eastern Uttar Pradesh. With a campus spanning 100 acres, any unrest or controversy can have widespread repercussions.
History and Legal Status of the Campus Mosque
The mosque at the center of the controversy is situated on 0.06 acres of land within the college campus. According to Singh, the mosque has existed peacefully for a long time, having been renovated twice, most recently in 2012. He emphasized that the entire campus, including the land on which the mosque stands, is officially registered as belonging to Udai Pratap College. Furthermore, Singh pointed out that a letter from the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board clearly stated that there was no pending issue regarding the college land.
The current tensions were likely exacerbated by a notice that resurfaced recently on social media. Issued by the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board back in 2018, the notice was addressed to the college manager, seeking clarification on the demand made by Waseem Ahmed to register the land as Waqf property. This notice, however, was revoked on January 18, 2021, by the board chairman, and the board clarified that there was no further action being taken on the matter.
In light of recent events, S M Yaseen, the joint secretary of the Anjuman Intejamia Masjid (Gyanvapi Mosque Management Committee), addressed the board, highlighting Udai Pratap College’s importance as a leading educational institution. He expressed concern that the board’s 2018 notice was causing unnecessary confusion and emphasized that the mosque should be seen as a symbol of communal harmony on the campus. “With the clarification from the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board, the matter should now be resolved. The protests arose due to a misunderstanding,” Yaseen said.
Student Perspectives and Administrative Response
The issue of outsiders visiting the mosque for prayers is a recurring concern for the student body. Former student Vivekanand Singh voiced frustration, stating, “Since this is a college with a significant student population, outsiders holding prayers at the masjid should be stopped.” His statement captures the unease felt by many on campus, where the surge in attendees last Friday was perceived as an unwanted intrusion.
Sudhir Singh, the president of the UP College students’ union, confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the district administration and police to find ways to maintain order on campus and avoid any escalation of tensions. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Varanasi, Chandra Kant Meena, assured that the situation is under control and that law enforcement officials have been deployed to ensure peace.
The police have been placed on alert to manage any possible escalation, with officers deployed near the mosque and at other critical points around the campus. Authorities are determined to prevent further disruption, as tensions between communities can easily flare up in an environment as diverse and populous as Varanasi.
A History of Coexistence Under Threat
Udai Pratap College, with its long history of fostering education and communal harmony, finds itself at a crossroads. Established in 1909, it has evolved into a prominent educational hub in the region, catering to thousands of students across its various branches. The mosque on the campus has similarly existed without issue for decades, with recent renovations in 2012 reflecting its ongoing significance as a place of worship for those in the community.
The controversy surrounding the mosque’s legal status appears to have been stirred by misinformation and the resurfacing of outdated notices, which had already been addressed and resolved by the authorities. The statement from the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board that no action is pending should, ideally, have settled any remaining doubts. However, the protests and the chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa suggest that underlying tensions persist, exacerbated by the increased presence of worshippers at the mosque last Friday.
The principal’s stance is clear: the mosque is part of the college, and only those with valid identification, particularly residents of the local area and college students, should be allowed entry. This approach aims to prevent any outside influence that might contribute to instability on campus. By restricting access, college authorities hope to return to a state of normalcy where students can focus on their education rather than being drawn into unnecessary conflicts.
Looking Ahead: A Plea for Harmony
The events at Udai Pratap Degree College serve as a reminder of the fragile balance between religious expression and maintaining peace within shared spaces. As the authorities and student representatives work towards a solution, it is evident that the mosque will continue to be a focal point for communal sentiments. The principal’s call for controlled entry and identification checks is an attempt to mitigate tensions and maintain the historical coexistence that the institution stands for.
As Yaseen aptly put it, the mosque is a “symbol of communal harmony on the campus.” Whether the current unrest subsides or escalates depends largely on how the stakeholders manage both religious sentiments and the college’s commitment to being an inclusive educational environment for all. The hope is that Udai Pratap Degree College can overcome this phase of unrest and uphold its century-long tradition of harmony and learning.