Chhattisgarh professor who 'forced' students to offer namaz at NSS camp held

NEW DELHI: A professor from Guru Ghasidas Central University was arrested on Thursday in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur district for allegedly compelling students to participate in a Namaz recital during a National Service Scheme (NSS) camp, a senior police official confirmed.
According to news agency PTI, deputy superintendent of police Rashmeet Kaur Chawla said Professor Dilip Jha was taken into custody earlier in the day following an FIR filed on April 26. The complaint names eight individuals, including Jha, six other university faculty members, and a student who served as a team leader.
They have been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act for allegedly promoting religious enmity and hurting religious sentiments.
According to police, the accused allegedly forced 159 students to offer Namaz on March 31 at the NSS camp held in Shivtarai village, under the jurisdiction of Kota police station. Only four of the students were Muslim, officials said.
The incident reportedly came to light after students voiced concerns upon returning from the week-long camp, which ran from March 26 to April 1. Their protest sparked demonstrations by right-wing groups, demanding accountability.
In response, Bilaspur Senior Superintendent of Police Rajnesh Singh formed a four-member inquiry panel led by City SP (Kotwali) Akshay Sabadra. The FIR was registered based on the panel's findings, and further investigation is ongoing, DSP Chawla said.