‘Allah’ turns into flashpoint as exam row reflects deepening religious polarization in India
New Delhi: In India, even the mention of “Allah” has been turned into a subject of controversy, as a question in an examination at Samrat Vikramaditya University sparked widespread outrage and protests in Ujjain, reflecting growing intolerance and the politicization of religion in academic spaces.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the question asked students to affirm, “There is no one other than Allah,” which triggered strong reactions from right-wing groups, who portrayed it as religious bias rather than an academic or philosophical reference. Critics argue that the backlash itself exposes how religious expressions associated with minorities are increasingly being singled out and turned into matters of dispute.
Following the uproar, the university authorities withdrew the question from evaluation, granted extra marks to students, and initiated disciplinary action against the faculty member responsible for setting the paper.
Observers say the incident underscores a troubling trend in India, where even neutral or faith-based references are being politicized, particularly when linked to minority communities.
