A routine repair job at a madrasa in Uttar Pradesh’s Kushinagar district turned controversial after a ceiling fan allegedly carrying the label “Made in Pakistan” was discovered, triggering social media outrage and a police investigation.
The incident took place on May 10 at Madrasa Qadriya Hakikatul Uloom, when a cleric sent two fans and a motor for servicing. During repair work, a mechanic reportedly noticed the foreign-origin marking on one of the fans.
Soon after, images of the fan circulated widely online, leading to local tension and demands for an inquiry.
Police Detain Two People During Initial Inquiry
Following the discovery, police detained two individuals, including madrasa staff, for questioning. However, officials later confirmed that no illegal activity was found.
Vishunpura Station House Officer Vinay Mishra said, “All angles were examined carefully. The fan was verified, and documents related to its purchase were produced before us.”
He added that after verification, both detained persons were released as nothing suspicious was established.
Madrasa Says Fan Was Donated, Not Recently Purchased
The madrasa administration clarified that the fan was not recently bought and had been in storage for years before being donated.
According to the management, the fan was donated in 2023 by a local resident named Shamsuddin, whose son had allegedly sent it from Saudi Arabia earlier.
Shamsuddin said, “The fan was sent by my son several years ago. It remained unused for a long time, and later I donated it to the madrasa.”
The madrasa also stated that the fan had never been installed before and was only sent for repair recently.
How the Controversy Started
The issue surfaced when the cleric took the malfunctioning fan to a local repair shop along with other equipment. During servicing, the mechanic reportedly noticed the “Made in Pakistan” marking.
The mechanic informed officials, and the matter quickly escalated after photographs of the fan went viral on social media.
Local right-wing groups reacted strongly, demanding a detailed investigation into how such an item reached a religious institution.
Police Investigation Finds No Suspicious Activity
Police visited the madrasa after the controversy grew and conducted a routine inspection of the premises.
Officials confirmed that no other suspicious or foreign-origin items were found during the checks.
A police officer said the fan was ultimately traced to a purchase made abroad, and related documents were verified during the inquiry.
Social Media Amplifies the Incident
The images of the fan triggered widespread discussion online, with many users questioning its origin. The post quickly gained attention, leading to political and public reactions in the region.
Locals also demanded that authorities conduct a transparent investigation to clarify how the fan reached the madrasa and whether any rules were violated.
Authorities Say Case Closed for Now, But Monitoring Continues
While the initial inquiry has not found any wrongdoing, officials said the matter remains under review to fully trace the supply chain and verify import details.
Police said that conclusions would only be drawn after a complete investigation.
For now, the detained individuals have been released, and the madrasa management maintains that the controversy arose due to misunderstanding and social media circulation rather than any deliberate wrongdoing.
