Uttar Pradesh News: Amid rising tensions at Uday Pratap College in Varanasi concerning a mosque situated on its grounds, police have implemented restrictions on campus access, permitting only students with valid ID cards to enter. This decision follows on Tuesday, when students recited the Hanuman Chalisa during the time of namaz near the mosque, leading to brief detentions of seven individuals by local authorities. Security Measures Implemented by PoliceIn response to the disturbances, the police have stationed personnel at the college gate, checking identity cards to make sure that no outsiders enter the campus. A group students is also monitoring the gate to ensure compliance. He noted that no one came to offer namaz on Thursday and emphasized that additional precautions will be taken on Friday during the Jumma prayers. Students InitiativesIn revent development, students of the college have established a student court and sent an 11-point letter to the Uttar Pradesh Waqf Board, demanding clarity within 15 days regarding the mosque status and its ownership. Mohammad Yaseen, joint secretary of the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee indicated that he had reached out to the Uttar Pradesh Central Waqf Board earlier in the week to inquire about the mosques status. Clarification from Waqf BoardThe Uttar Pradesh Central Waqf Board has clarirfied that its 2018 notice asserting the mosque as Waqf property was cancelled on January 18, 2021. Yaseen stated that there should be no ongoing controversy regarding this matter. Tensions initially escalated when students protested against perceived unauthorized prayers conducted by outsiders at the mosque, raising concerns about security on campus. A local official confirmed that the college administration had requested police assistance to verify entrants to the campus, prompting increased vigilance to maintain peace and order.
