Principal suspended, booked over claims of college event luring students towards Islam

The college is run by a Sena (UBT) leader and former BJP MLC Dr Apoorva Hiray.

Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad college Principal suspension, Islamic prayer at event, right wing members protest against career guidance seminar, luring towards Islam, Dada Bhuse, indian express, indian express news

The college, which is run by the Hiray family, had organised a career guidance programme on opportunities in the defence sector. (Express Photo)

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A career guidance seminar, which started off with a small Islamic prayer at Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad Arts, Science and Commerce College in Malegaon, led to the suspension of the college principal, who has now been booked by police.

The college is run by a Sena (UBT) leader and former BJP MLC Dr Apoorva Hiray. The FIR was filed after right wing members protested against the event alleging that students were being lured towards Islam. Maharashtra’s Ports Development and Mining Department Minister Dada Bhuse also sought action against those responsible for the event.

The college, which is run by the Hiray family, had organised a career guidance programme on opportunities in the defence sector. The event was in association with a local organisation – Satya Malik Lok Sewa Group – which arranged for the guest Anees Kutty, from the Anees Defence Career Institute in Pune.

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“The programme started off with the recitation of a small Islamic prayer wherein the speaker addressed the students. Towards the end of the event, a large number of people entered the hall claiming that the event was an attempt to propagate Islam,” Dr Subhash Nikam, the now suspended principal, said.

Nikam said the event started off with the small Arabic incantation, as that was the way the organisation started off most of its events.

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