A government-funded college in the Ballia District, Uttar Pradesh has been shut down indefinitely after a magisterial investigation was ordered on a complaint filed against the college for allegedly banning “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”.
The Principal of the Gandhi Mohammed Ali Memorial College has stated that the college has been closed until further orders are received by the administration. The Principal has also published a notice at the college on a direction received by the district administration that there is freedom to recite or sing “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Man, etc.
The Magisterial investigation was ordered after the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police visited the college on receiving the complaint against it for banning Vande Matram. The complaint was filed by a student of the 12th standard on being attacked at the gate of the college by the Principal and teachers when he told a social organization and media persons on Friday, October 5, 2018, that singing Vande Mataram and reciting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” was not allowed in the college.
He has further stated that they were around 20 to 25 people who attacked him with lathis while also raising “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans.