Student arrested for offering namaz in open area in Meerut

Meerut: A student was arrested in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly offering namaz in an open area of a private university, officials said on Sunday.

Khalid Pradhan (Khalid Mewati) was arrested following protests by local Hindu groups over a purported video that surfaced around Holi celebrations this week that showed a group of students offering namaz on the university campus.

The university administration suspended Pradhan and three security personnel over the incident and called for police and administrative action against Pradhan, who allegedly uploaded the video.

Circle Officer Sadar Dehat Shiv Pratap Singh on Sunday told PTI, "A video of offering namaz in the IIMT University campus was circulated on social media." Pradhan was arrested and sent to jail, he said.

On Saturday, SHO of Ganga Nagar police station Anoop Singh said the case was lodged based on a complaint by one Kartik Hindu.

A case has been filed under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008, he said.

IIMT University spokesperson Sunil Sharma stated that an internal investigation revealed namaz was offered in an open area, and the video was uploaded with the intention of disrupting communal harmony.

Local Hindu groups demanded the arrest of those involved in the namaz gathering, citing the large number of students present and the timing of the video's circulation during the Holi festival.

Holi celebrations coincided with the second Friday prayers of Ramzan, amid a tense atmosphere fuelled by controversial remarks from leaders. However, despite tightened security measures by the UP administration, the day passed without any major incidents.

(inputs from PTI)