The Uttar Pradesh government has directed all state universities and higher educational institutions to set up ‘DharmantaranRoktham Cells’ aimed at preventing alleged religious conversions on campuses.
The instruction came through a May 28 communication issued from the Governor Anandiben Patel’s secretariat to vice chancellors, medical institutes, and other educational bodies. The directive asks institutions to strengthen counselling services, student welfare systems, monitoring mechanisms, and reporting structures to address concerns linked to alleged conversion activities.
The order cites fears that students may face inducement, psychological pressure, or unethical influence leading to religious conversion. It also follows recent investigations at King George’s Medical University, where allegations of a so-called ‘love jihad’ network were probed.
The directive has triggered strong political reactions. SP leaders questioned the rationale behind the move, urging the government to focus on institutional reforms instead of surveillance-based systems in colleges.
AIMIM’s Mohammed Mubashir raised concerns over the legality of such cells in educational spaces and questioned constitutional validity. Congress leaders criticised the decision, calling it a reflection of governance failures despite years of political control in the state. Critics also expressed concern over the framing of campus surveillance.