VIT imposes fine on students for reciting Hanuman Chalisa, MP govt orders probe

Bhopal, July 09: It seems like reciting Hanuman Chalisa has become a crime in India, as Bhopal's Vellore Institute of Technology penalised half a dozen students for reciting Hanuman Chalisa in hostel rooms. As per the reports, the college management has clamped down on 7 second-year students.

 

 

Notably, the incident took place in Bhopal Campus last week, when a group of 20 students had collectively recited the Hindu devotional hymns in their room to draw the management's attention to poor amenities at the hostel.

 

As per the reports, the college administration took this action following receiving complaints from other students. The college imposed a fine of 5000 on students. A notice was sent, asking them to pay ₹5000 as a fine for leading the ‘Hanuman Chalisa recital program’.

 

The college management has also sought a report from the hostel warden.

 

 

Following this, the second-year students launched a protest against the decision of VIT Bhopal. They have accused their juniors of ratting them out.

 

The Madhya Pradesh government has taken cognizance of the matter and ordered an investigation into the alleged action of a private institution. Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said that he has ordered the Sehore collector to carry out an inquiry into the matter. Speaking to reporters, Narottam Mishra said, "No fine will be charged to the private institute's students for the recitation of Hanuman Chalisa. Sehore collector has been ordered

to conduct a detailed inquiry into the entire matter."

 

 

Adding further he said, "If Hanuman Chalisa is not chanted in Hindustan, there where?.. I have sent a message to the institute that no fine should be imposed on the students for reciting Hanuman Chalisa. The students can be advised, but no such action can be taken." He also said that the institute took the action after some of the students, their parents, and security guards raised objections over the noise caused by the recitation.