“They Called Us for Talks, Then Beat Us”: Students Allege Police Brutality in IIMT Namaz Row; 6 Held

The controversy at IIMT University over a viral video of students offering namaz on campus on March 13, a day before the Hindu festival of Holi, has taken a distressing turn, with fresh allegations surfacing about police high-handedness and student mistreatment in the ongoing IIMT namaz row.

On Monday, March 17, six students were arrested after nearly 400 Muslim students gathered at the university’s main gate, demanding the release of Khalid Pradhan, aka Khalid Mewati, a 22-year-old first-year physiotherapy student, who was detained for allegedly uploading a video of students offering namaz.

According to students, they were compelled to offer prayers on campus as the university’s re-entry restrictions during college hours left them with no other option.

On March 17, the protest, which started as a peaceful march, soon became violent when the students were denied permission to stage a rally on the campus.

Instead, the police asked them to go along with the police to the police station to “settle the issue.” But students were detained midway by police forces, surrounded, and showered with sudden lathi charge.

“They called them for talks, but instead, the students were stopped midway, and beaten. Some had their clothes torn and sustained minor injuries,” said a student who wished to remain anonymous.

He further alleged that police officers forcibly deleted videos of the incident and threatened students against recording or sharing any content.

In response to the uproar, following IIMT Namaz row incident, the university administration has suspended three security guards.

However, concerns persist over Pradhan’s detention. He remains in custody under provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 299 and the IT Act, reportedly without access to legal counsel or external communication. “He is completely cut off, and we have no information about his well-being,” said another student.

Fear Prevails on Campus Amid Ongoing IIMT Namaz Row

Fear and trauma now grip the remaining student body, many of whom have refused to comment further on the matter. “There is a prevailing sense of fear among students. We are not sure what will happen next,” the second-year BA LLB student said, requesting anonymity.

Despite the tensions following IIMT Namaz row, Superintendent of Police (Rural) Rakesh Kumar Mishra stood up for the police action citing the violation of public gathering restrictions by the students. “They did not take prior permission for staging the protest and did not disperse,” he said.

Meanwhile, Hindu groups led by Hindutva leader Sachin Sirohi,  continue to demand action against those involved in the IIMT Namaz row video, arguing that its timing—on the eve of Holi—was intended to provoke discord.

With Pradhan still in custody and students under palpable fear, the IIMT Namaz row controversy underscores the fragile communal balance on university campuses. Whether authorities will take further action or provide any relief remains to be seen, as the case continues to unfold.

IIMT has not responded to our inquiry regarding the steps they plan to take to resolve the issue.