Creation of anti-radicalisation units sparks heated debate

The government of Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, has directed all universities and higher education institutions to establish ‘anti-radicalisation’ units on campuses.

The objective is to prevent attempts at “forced religious conversion” on campuses. The move has sparked a heated debate among academics, students, and political leaders. Supporters view it as a necessary step for student safety, while critics argue that it could foster surveillance and ‘moral policing’.

The directive follows two recent incidents involving King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in the state’s capital, Lucknow. A junior resident doctor was arrested on charges of forced religious conversion and sexual exploitation, while a medical intern was arrested for sexually exploiting a nursing student under the false pretext of marriage.

Allegations of ‘love jihad’

These incidents led to allegations of ‘love jihad’ and intensified discussions regarding religious conversion within educational institutions. ‘Love jihad’ is a term used by Hindu nationalist groups to describe an alleged conspiracy in which Muslim men marry Hindu women to convert them to Islam.

A letter sent from the office of Governor and Chancellor Anandiben Patel to the vice-chancellors and directors of universities urged the institutions to take precautionary measures. The notification stated that authorities had been receiving repeated reports of students being coerced into religious conversion through inducements or mental pressure.

Universities have been asked to activate ‘anti-radicalisation units’ or strengthen existing ‘student welfare cells’. Institutions have been advised to pay greater attention to students’ mental health through counselling and regular interaction.

The governor’s secretariat has also directed universities to establish counselling centres where students can confidentially report concerns regarding pressure, inducements, or suspicious activities.

Strict monitoring of hostels and other sensitive areas on campuses is expected, including the restriction of unauthorised entry and periodic inspections. Universities have been instructed to immediately inform local authorities if any individual or organisation is suspected of involvement in activities related to illegal religious conversion.

This move aligns with the state Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath government’s stance of viewing alleged religious conversions as a law-and-order issue. In recent years, the state has strengthened the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.

Lucknow’s Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University (ABVMU) has also directed all its affiliated medical, dental, nursing, and healthcare colleges to comply with this advisory and report on the measures taken.

‘Surveillance atmosphere’ condemned

However, sections of the academic community and the Opposition parties have slammed the directive. Critics argue that monitoring hostel visitors, personal relationships, and student interactions could create an atmosphere of surveillance on campus. Some faculty members and minority leaders fear that these directives could be misused to target and harass minority students and faculty rather than address genuine educational issues.

Former vice-chancellor of the University of Lucknow, Roop Rekha Verma, described the proposal as “wholly condemnable” and unnecessary.

“I think this move is intended to aggravate communal tensions in universities. There is absolutely no need for such anti-radicalisation units because there is no crisis on campuses that justifies their creation. Universities face many pressing issues that deserve attention, but this is not one of them,” she stated.

Verma told University World News: “The initiative could create fear among minority students and discourage their participation in academic life. If students begin to worry that their discussions, seminars, or interactions could be scrutinised, it will affect their confidence and their ability to participate freely in university life.”

Shahnawaz Alam, a leader of the Opposition Congress party in Uttar Pradesh (UP), criticised the move, describing it as an attempt to divert attention from issues such as unemployment, examination irregularities, and paper leaks.

In a statement, he said: “The youth are primarily concerned about education and jobs, and the government aims to shift the public discourse.”

Fears for personal freedom

Students have also expressed concern. Arshad Khan, a final-year MBA student in Kanpur, UP, stated: “Interactions among students and relationships between individuals of different faiths are now being viewed through a political lens.”

He told University World News: “Such restrictions infringe upon personal freedom.”

Rejecting claims that the proposal would protect or empower girls, Verma said the issue was not about gender but about the rights and security of all minority students.

“This is not a question of empowering girls. Both male and female students from minority communities could feel threatened by such mechanisms. Even minor incidents could be used against them, potentially affecting their access to education and their sense of security on campus,” she said.

She warned that an atmosphere of fear would inevitably affect learning.

Progressive and left-leaning student groups have also opposed the move to establish an ‘anti-radicalisation cell’.

They maintain that universities should remain spaces that foster independent thinking, academic inquiry, and personal choice.

Verma said that there was no compelling justification for the proposed cells or units. “I do not support this move at all.”