Muslim Professor Promoting Conversion to Islam; Allegedly Sends Poetry to Hindu Female Students [Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh]

(Reported as seen)

In a concerning incident at Vikram University in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, Professor Anees Sheikh from the Pharmacy department has been accused of encouraging students to convert to Islam and promoting Islamic prayers. Some students have also alleged that he sends poetry to Hindu female students on social media.

A female student from a rural area reported that Professor Sheikh sends her poetic messages on social media. However, when asked about the allegations, Professor Sheikh stated that he was unaware of the accusations and had not received any formal notice regarding them.

Students from the university have accused Professor Anees Sheikh of targeting Hindu students, encouraging them to convert to Islam, and promoting religious practices such as Namaz. The controversy escalated on Friday, June 21, 2024, when over 100 students, supported by student organizations, protested against the professor. They disrupted a scheduled test and locked the main gate of the department, trapping several professors and students inside. The protesters demanded the immediate removal of Professor Sheikh.

Adarsh Chaudhary, the General Secretary of the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad), stated that Professor Sheikh fails Hindu students in chemistry while giving good grades to Muslim students without conducting classes. Chaudhary also mentioned that Professor Sheikh created a social media group where he discusses religious conversion.

Following the uproar, Vice-Chancellor Akhilesh Pandey assured that Professor Anees Sheikh would be suspended for 15 days while an investigation is conducted. Pandey acknowledged that there had been complaints against Professor Sheikh for the past three years and that he had been warned multiple times. He also stated that a group created by Professor Sheikh was used to communicate with female students, and this matter would be investigated by the cyber cell.

Gaurav Jatav, a fourth-semester student, alleged that Professor Sheikh awards high marks to Muslim students without holding classes and gives low marks to Hindu students. Students also claimed that Professor Sheikh pressures them to convert to Islam and prohibits wearing traditional Hindu symbols such as Tilak and Kalava.

In his defense, Professor Sheikh dismissed the allegations as baseless, explaining that he created a WhatsApp group during the COVID-19 pandemic to disseminate information to students. He emphasized that he has been a guest lecturer for 13 years without any prior accusations of this nature and suggested that some individuals are manipulating the students against him.

The university administration has promised a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure justice and maintain the integrity of the educational environment.