Thiruvananthapuram: Controversy has erupted at Nirmala College in Muvattupuzha, Ernakulam district, after college authorities refused to allocate a separate prayer space for Muslim female students. This decision has ignited a broader discussion regarding the accommodation of religious practices within educational institutions in Kerala.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the female Muslim students had formally requested a designated room to conduct their prayers, which was denied by the college administration. The refusal led to significant unrest on campus, with some students protesting by surrounding the college principal, Father Kannadan Francis, demanding reconsideration of the decision.
Father Francis responded to the protests by stating that the provision of a prayer room within the college premises was unnecessary given the proximity of a mosque nearby that caters to male students. This justification has not quelled the discontent among the student body, highlighting ongoing issues related to religious inclusivity and equal treatment in educational settings.
The incident at Nirmala College has not only affected campus harmony but also prompted a wider evaluation of how religious activities are facilitated in secular educational environments across the state.