Hindu students formed a protective human chain around Muslim peers offering namaz at Lucknow University after the administration abruptly locked the campus mosque.
On February 22, 2026, Muslim students arrived at the nearly 200-year-old Lal Baradari complex to offer their daily prayers, only to find the gates welded shut and barricaded by the university administration without any prior notice. While university authorities claimed the sudden fencing was a safety measure due to the building's dilapidated condition, protesting students argued it was a deliberate move to prevent Muslims from worshipping during Ramadan. Left with no access to the mosque they have utilized for decades, the Muslim students decided to peacefully perform their Salah [Prayer] and break their fast (iftar) directly outside the sealed complex.
A Beautiful Act of Solidarity
As the Muslim students bowed in prayer, Hindu students—including representatives from the NSUI, AISA, and Samajwadi Chhatra Sabha—stepped forward to hold hands and form a protective security cordon around them. This deeply moving gesture ensured the prayers could be completed peacefully and safely. The image of Hindu students shielding their Muslim peers quickly went viral, being hailed as a glowing example of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb—the historic, syncretic culture of Hindu-Muslim unity. It sent a resounding message that the student body rejects religious discrimination and stands united for the fundamental rights of all communities.
Growing Islamophobia Under the Current Regime
While the students' solidarity is highly commendable, the events surrounding the closure highlight the escalating Islamophobia and systemic marginalization of Muslims under the current ruling party's ideological umbrella.
Erasure of Heritage: The sudden sealing of an Islamic prayer space under the guise of "renovation" or "safety" reflects a broader national pattern of restricting Muslim religious freedoms and erasing Islamic heritage spaces.
Right-Wing Intolerance: The deeply ingrained prejudice fostered by the current political climate was put on full display shortly after the peaceful prayers. Members of right-wing student groups arrived at the exact spot where the namaz was offered to recite the Hanuman Chalisa and purposefully sprinkle Ganga jal (holy water) in an attempt to "purify" the ground.
Administrative Hostility: Despite the students' peaceful response to being locked out of their mosque, police forces were heavily deployed, and show-cause notices demanding massive ₹50,000 personal bonds were issued to students, further penalizing those advocating for their basic rights.
The bravery of the Hindu students who stood guard offers a glimmer of hope, but the overarching incident serves as a stark reminder of the daily hostilities Indian Muslims face under a government that consistently emboldens right-wing extremism.