Palghar Medical College Suspends 2 Staffers After Student Forced to Perform Namaz

A first-year female physiotherapy student was allegedly subjected to a ragging incident and forced to perform namaz by an unidentified masked girl at a private medical college hostel in Posheri village, located in the Wada taluka of Palghar district, on Sunday night. The incident has triggered significant tension on the campus, leading to the suspension of two college staffers and the deployment of police forces following protests by right-wing groups.

Following the incident, local police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Monday night to initiate a formal investigation. According to an official, early findings from the police department indicate that the entire episode is linked to ragging at the educational institution.

According to the police complaint, the victim, a first-year student who hails from Nashik, was on the fifth floor of the hostel on Sunday night when the encounter occurred. She was stopped by a girl whose face was covered. The unidentified accused allegedly tried to force the victim to perform Islamic prayers. Even after the victim refused to comply, the masked girl continued to pressure her, leaving the first-year student frightened.

The victim informed her family about the ordeal the following morning on Monday. The family reportedly approached the college management for action, but they allegedly received no response. Consequently, the family contacted members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) to seek support.

The situation quickly escalated, drawing protests from right-wing groups on the college campus. In response to the growing tension and the allegations, the college management suspended two staffers, including a hostel warden and a teacher.

To prevent any further disturbance and maintain law and order on the campus, local police forces were deployed at the private medical college. The police are continuing their investigation into the complaint registered by the student.