Career Guidance Seminar At Maharashtra College Begins With Islamic Prayer: Principal Suspended, Booked By Police

A career guidance seminar at the Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad Arts, Science and Commerce College in Maharashtra's Malegaon triggered a controversy after the event started with a Islamic prayer.

As a result, the college principal was suspended and has now been booked by the police.

The college is run by Dr Apoorva Hiray, a Sena (UBT) leader and former BJP MLC. The controversy erupted after right-wing members protested against the event alleging that the students were being lured towards Islam.

In response to the protests, Maharashtra’s Ports Development and Mining Department Minister Dada Bhuse called for action against those responsible for the event.

The career guidance event at the college, which is run by Hiray family, aimed to highlight the opportunities available in the defence sector.

The event was organised in association with the Satya Malik Lok Sewa Group, a local organisation. The guest speaker at the event was Anees Kutty, from the Anees Defence Career Institute in Pune.

According to the now-suspended principal, Subhash Nikam, the programme commenced with the recitation of "a small Islamic prayer wherein the speaker addressed the students," reports Indian Express.

However, towards the end of the programme, a large number of people entered the hall and accused the organisers of promoting Islam.