Key Facts
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has directed all higher education institutions in the state, including medical and dental colleges, to establish 'Dharmantaran Roktham Cells' (anti-conversion cells). The order, issued via a letter dated May 28, 2026, aims to prevent alleged coercive religious conversions on campuses. The move has drawn support from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and criticism from the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP).
Details of the Directive
According to the governor's secretariat letter, institutions must strengthen counselling services, monitoring systems, student welfare mechanisms, and reporting protocols. The directive follows investigations at King George's Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow over the past two years, where police registered cases and made arrests related to alleged organized conversion efforts. A senior higher education department official stated, The focus is on early detection, counselling and student welfare rather than waiting for complaints to reach law-enforcement agencies.
Another government official clarified that the objective is not to regulate personal faith but to prevent activities prohibited under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Reactions from Institutions
Several university heads have confirmed compliance. KGMU spokesperson Prof KK Singh said, All directions issued by the governor will be implemented in full, and the conversion prevention cell will function in accordance with the prescribed guidelines.
Prof CM Singh, director of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, added, The institute will implement the governor's instructions and take the necessary steps for the formation of the cell.
Lucknow University registrar Bhavana Mishra and vice-chancellor Prof JP Saini stated, The university would act on the governor's directive regarding the constitution of a Conversion Prevention Cell.
Prof JP Pandey, vice-chancellor of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, said, The university has started the process of constituting the cell while we are also directing the head of colleges to comply with the directives.
Political Reactions
The BJP has backed the directive, calling it necessary to protect students from coercion. In contrast, the SP accused the government of ignoring more pressing issues in higher education. The debate highlights the contentious nature of the state's anti-conversion law.
What Readers Should Know
- The cells are to be formed in all state universities, medical colleges, dental colleges, and technical institutes.
- The directive is based on the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
- Institutions are required to set up mechanisms for early detection and counselling rather than waiting for complaints.
- The move follows investigations at KGMU related to alleged conversion activities.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the anti-conversion cells in UP universities?
The cells aim to prevent unlawful religious conversions by strengthening counselling, monitoring, and student welfare mechanisms, as per the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Which institutions are required to set up these cells?
All higher education institutions in Uttar Pradesh, including state universities, medical and dental colleges, and technical institutes.
What has been the political reaction to this directive?
The ruling BJP supports the move as necessary to protect students, while the opposition Samajwadi Party criticizes it as ignoring more pressing issues in education.