A senior professor at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda has written to the Vice-Chancellor demanding a ban on religious rituals, citing a rise in 'on-campus religiosity' that contradicts secular constitutional values.

  • Professor Jagrut Gadit seeks a ban on pujas, aartis, and religious symbols at MS University.
  • The demand stems from an orientation program involving deity worship and Sanskrit shlokas.
  • The professor argues that public-funded institutions must adhere to the constitutional principle of secularism.

In a bold move that has sparked an intense debate over the intersection of faith and academia, Jagrut Gadit, Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MS University), has formally requested the university administration to prohibit religious practices on campus. In an open letter addressed to Vice-Chancellor Prof BM Bhanage, Gadit expressed deep concern over the increasing trend of religiosity within an institution funded by taxpayers' money.

The controversy traces back to the undergraduate orientation program held on August 4 and 5. According to Gadit, the event began with a lamp-lighting ceremony before an image of Maa Saraswati, accompanied by Sanskrit shlokas and the requirement for participants to remove their shoes. Gadit, who refused to participate in the ritual, described the act as a "religious performance" rather than a symbolic gesture, arguing that such practices are incompatible with the basic structure of the Indian Constitution.

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Beyond the orientation, the professor highlighted other instances where he felt the line between personal faith and public duty was blurred. He recounted refusing sheera prasad after a Satyanarayan katha conducted by a university department, emphasizing that while he personally enjoys the dish, the context of the event—being held on a public campus—made his refusal a matter of principle.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this incident reflects a broader national tension between traditional cultural expressions and the strict interpretation of secularism in public spaces. When academic institutions, which are meant to be hubs of critical thinking and open inquiry, become sites for religious rituals, it raises fundamental questions about the inclusivity of the environment for atheists or individuals of different faiths.

The sanctity of a public university lies in its commitment to rationalism and the constitutional mandate of secularism, ensuring that no single faith dominates the intellectual landscape.

Gadit further alleged that the shift toward religiosity is systemic. He noted that simple ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new labs are now frequently replaced by rituals involving priests and shlokas. He also pointed out the presence of deity images in classrooms and laboratories, as well as the emergence of new temples on campus, which he believes imposes personal preferences on a collective public space.

Invoking the landmark 1973 Kesavananda Bharati judgment, Gadit argued that secularism is part of the "basic structure" of the Constitution. He questioned how a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) could be achieved if the foundation of fresh, open-minded thinking is compromised by conformist religious practices.

Did You Know?: The Kesavananda Bharati case is the most significant judgment in Indian legal history, establishing that Parliament cannot alter the 'basic structure' of the Constitution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What specifically is Professor Gadit asking the Vice-Chancellor to do?
He is requesting a formal policy prohibiting aartis, pujas, kathas, and the open display of religious symbols and images in public university spaces.

Q2: Does the professor want all temples on campus removed?
No, he proposed retaining temples that were inherited from the Maharaja before the university's establishment in 1949, while removing those created subsequently.