Higher education institutions across Uttar Pradesh are establishing "Dharmantaran Roktham Cells"—religious conversion prevention cells—following a directive from the office of Governor Anandiben Patel. The mandate requires state universities and medical colleges to monitor campuses for activities related to unlawful religious conversion, citing the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, as the legal framework for the initiative.
Why is the Governor mandating these cells?
The governor’s secretariat issued the directive to address reports of students being influenced through "inducement, psychological pressure, or other unethical means" to change their religion. According to a letter sent to vice-chancellors and directors on May 28, the state government intends to shift from a reactive, police-led approach to a preventive model.
The directive tasks institutions with strengthening student welfare mechanisms, including:
- Establishing dedicated counselling centres for students facing mental pressure.
- Conducting mentor-mentee sessions to increase awareness of anti-conversion laws.
- Increasing surveillance and security around hostels to restrict unauthorized visitors.
- Holding regular parent-teacher meetings to monitor student well-being.
What is the legal basis for these measures?
The state government maintains that these cells are designed to enforce the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. This law criminalizes conversions conducted through force, fraud, coercion, or allurement. Government officials state the goal is not to regulate personal faith, but to ensure campuses remain "secular and academically conducive" while preventing activities explicitly prohibited by state law.
How are universities responding?
Implementation is currently underway across several prominent state institutions.
- King George’s Medical University (KGMU): Spokesperson Prof. KK Singh confirmed the university will comply with the governor’s order, noting that the Dean of Student Welfare already manages similar oversight protocols.
- Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University: Vice-chancellor Prof. JP Pandey stated the university has directed all affiliated colleges to form these cells, building upon existing mentor-mentee programs.
- Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences: Director Prof. CM Singh confirmed the institute is in the process of constituting the required prevention cell.
What is the political reaction?
The directive has drawn sharp criticism and support along partisan lines. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defends the move as a necessary safeguard. State spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi stated that the decision is a "right step" to check incidents of "love jihad" within academic environments, citing recent investigations into conversion allegations at KGMU.
Conversely, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has questioned the government’s priorities. Party spokesperson Abbas Haider accused the ruling administration of using the initiative to drive communal polarization. The Opposition argues that the government should instead focus on improving the infrastructure of medical colleges and addressing the shortage of academic facilities in the state.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Directive | Establishment of conversion prevention cells in all state-run higher education institutions. |
| Legal Framework | Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. |
| Primary Objective | Early detection of inducement or coercion through counselling and student welfare. |
| Scope | Includes medical, dental, nursing, and paramedical colleges across Uttar Pradesh. |
The state government expects compliance reports from all affiliated institutions in the coming weeks. While university administrators emphasize that these cells will operate within existing student welfare frameworks, the initiative remains a subject of ongoing debate regarding the balance between institutional security and individual liberties.