UP Student Arrested For Offering Namaz In 'Open Area' On University Campus During Holi

A student from IIMT University was arrested after a video surfaced showing him and several others offering namaz in an open area.

The university called the police and took administrative action against Khalid Pradhan.

Source : ABPLIVE AI

A student was arrested for offering namaz in an open area of a private university in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut. Khalid Pradhan (Khalid Mewati) was arrested after local Hindu groups protested over a video that allegedly showed a group of students offering namaz on the university campus during Holi celebrations this week, according to PTI.

The university administration suspended Pradhan as well as three security personnel, over the incident. They called the police and took administrative action against Khalid Pradhan.

Circle Officer Sadar Dehat Shiv Pratap Singh told PTI, "A video of offering namaz in the IIMT University campus was circulated on social media." He said Khalid Pradhan was arrested and sent to jail.

On Saturday, Anoop Singh, the SHO of Ganga Nagar police station, stated that the case was filed following a complaint by one Kartik Hindu.

A case has been filed under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008, he said.

IIMT Conducted An Internal Investigation 

IIMT University spokesperson, Sunil Sharma, said that an internal investigation revealed that the namaz was offered in an open area and its video was uploaded with the intent to "disrupt communal harmony."

Sharma told The Times Of India, "We learned that no permission was taken from the administration for namaz on campus... It seemed to be a spontaneous act. Main culprit, Pradhan, was called by the investigating panel to present his case, but he did not appear, and hence, was suspended."

Meanwhile, local Hindu groups demanded the arrest of those involved, citing the large number of students in the gathering and the timing of the video's circulation during Holi.

Holi celebrations this year coincided with the second Friday prayers of Ramzan. Despite controversial remarks by some leaders creating tension in certain areas, the Uttar Pradesh administration's tightened security measures ensured the day passed without any untoward incidents.