Outsiders barred after Namaz row at Varanasi college escalates
Varanasi: Amid escalating tensions at the Uday Pratap college in Varanasi, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, over a mosque located on its premises, police have restricted outsiders’ entry to the campus.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the move caused unrest after students recited Hanuman Chalisa when namaz was being offered near the mosque. Seven men were briefly detained after the row, local police said.
Student leader, Vivekanand Singh, said, “Police personnel are stationed at the college gate, checking identity cards to ensure that no outsiders enter the campus. A group of students is also monitoring the gate.”
He added that no one came to offer namaz and that additional precautions will be taken today (Friday) during the ‘Juma’ prayers.
In a related development, students of the college have formed a ‘student court’ and sent an 11-point letter to the Uttar Pradesh Waqf Board, demanding a response within 15 days regarding the status of the mosque and its ownership.
Separately, Mohammad Yaseen, joint secretary of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, said he wrote to the Uttar Pradesh Central Waqt Board to check the status of the mosque itself.
The tensions arose after students protested against ‘outsiders’ offering prayers at the mosque, citing concerns about unauthorised entry into the college campus.
