Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has instructed all medical and dental colleges in the state to set up Religious Conversion Prevention Cells following recent incidents of religious conversion. This directive aims to raise awareness among students and staff about legal provisions and institutional duties. The cells are tasked with monitoring suspicious activities and ensuring proper reporting and examination of concerns.
In response to the Governor’s orders, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University has directed affiliated institutions to promptly establish dedicated Religious Conversion Prevention Cells. These cells will conduct awareness campaigns and educational programs to familiarize students and employees with relevant rules, legal protections, individual rights, and obligations. Institutions are required to form these cells without delay and submit compliance reports to university authorities.
The initiative comes in the wake of a religious conversion case at King George’s Medical University involving allegations of sexual exploitation and coercion by a former junior resident doctor. Another incident at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, where a young woman has been missing since May 21, has sparked community protests. Muslim leaders have supported the Governor’s move, emphasizing that Islam does not endorse forced religious conversions and calling for impartial investigations and strict actions against wrongdoers.
Shia leaders have also endorsed the prevention of forced religious conversions, stating that Islam prohibits such practices. They have expressed support for the establishment of committees to address misconduct in educational settings, emphasizing the importance of fair and unbiased committee operations.
