Three Muslim students at Ideal College in Kalyan, Maharashtra, were allegedly humiliated by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal after they were seen offering namaz inside an empty classroom. The incident, captured in two viral videos, has triggered outrage among parents, student groups and civil society organisations, raising questions about police inaction and rising vigilantism on campuses.
Videos show students being forced to apologise
The matter came to light after a video emerged showing the students offering namaz in an unoccupied classroom. Soon after, a group of VHP and Bajrang Dal members confronted them, claiming that performing religious prayers on campus hurt “Hindu sentiments”.
A second video, wider and more disturbing, surfaced later. In it, the three students are seen being subjected to public humiliation. They were made to do sit-ups, apologise repeatedly, and touch the feet of a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as men around them chanted “Jai Shri Ram”. While the students complied visibly out of fear, the video also shows uniformed police officers standing nearby and watching silently without intervening.
Parents have expressed shock and anger over this. One parent said, “My son was forced to bow before an idol. The police should have protected him. Instead, they stood there and did nothing.”
College says students violated campus rules
Amid growing criticism, the Ideal College administration issued a statement calling the matter “an internal issue”. The management said that religious activities of any kind are not permitted on campus and accused the students of violating institutional rules by offering namaz inside a classroom.
However, parents and activists argue that even if the students were in violation of campus guidelines, there was no justification for non-state actors to intimidate and punish them physically. They maintain that law enforcement officers present at the spot should have intervened immediately.
Police presence raises fresh controversy
The police’s passive presence has become a major flashpoint. Legal experts note that the students’ rights were violated on camera while law enforcement officials failed to provide protection.
Rights activists have demanded action against both the vigilante groups involved and the police personnel who were present. Many have questioned why the officers did not act to stop the harassment, despite being required to prevent any form of coercion or intimidation, especially against minors or young students in an educational environment.
Growing concerns over vigilantism
The incident has also become part of a larger debate around vigilantism and the policing of religious practices in educational spaces. Student unions and rights organisations argue that such actions embolden non-state actors to take law into their own hands and create an atmosphere of fear among minority communities.
They also point out that the students did not cause any disruption and were praying quietly in an empty classroom when the video was taken.
Parents demand accountability
Parents of the affected students have demanded a formal apology from the college, action against the individuals who intimidated their children, and disciplinary action against the police officers who stood by without offering protection.
“When the police fail to intervene, it sends a message that such harassment is acceptable. That is dangerous,” another parent said.
What happens next?
The incident has drawn widespread public attention and commentary online. While the college continues to maintain that the matter is internal, pressure is mounting for an impartial inquiry.
Civil society groups have urged the Maharashtra government to step in and order a probe into the roles played by the vigilante groups and police officers.
The students are reportedly traumatised and unwilling to speak publicly, fearing further harassment.